Recently, as I pondered the growth process of individual followers of Christ and the Church as a whole, I came across an interesting quote in the article I was reading, “A baby crawls, then walks, then runs… trying to rush this process or doing it out of order can be disastrous.” I see Life House Church, as I apply this principle description, as the baby who has been crawling but is now learning how to walk.
Scripture reveals that health and strength come as maturity is demonstrated through finding and fulfilling God’s purposes for our life. And this is where we are. We’re in process… after all, who isn’t? We’ve faced a temptation that many churches face… to have the crawling baby stand and start running as soon as possible. I can say with all credit going where it’s due, to the Lord, we’ve resisted doing what happens too often… getting people into classes and categories before helping them to build effective relationships and becoming a productive part of the family. The Church, after all, is a family… the Family of God. The reality is a baby needs a family before it needs an education… and finding its part of that family is an essential building block for all the years of learning that will follow.
Please join us in praying for the growth He desires for this local expression of the Body of Christ…the Life House Church family, as we devote ourselves to God, to His family, and to His mission… with our time, talent, and treasure… all that we have and all that we are… that we might experience more of what He has and who He is… God is good!
“... you are no longer foreigners and aliens, but fellow citizens with God's people and members of God's household, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone. In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord. And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit.” Ephesians 2:19-22 (NIV)
Peace!
Darrin+
Tuesday, August 31, 2010
Friday, June 4, 2010
Extraordinary In The Midst Of The Ordinary
I’ve seen it before. Nothing new, really. I’ve taken part in it, personally, several times. I’m a product of it. And so are you. So ordinary… yet so EXTRAORDINARY!
Last week, I rejoiced with my daughter Jessica and son-in-law James, as we witnessed the miracle of the birth of their son Harrison. I didn’t know what I was expecting, but becoming a grandfather far surpasses all previous expectations. My wife Christy and I feel too young to be grandparents… but after thinking about it, I’m actually several years older than my grandfather was when my twin sister and I were born.
It’s amazing to consider the part we play in the unfolding of God’s plan on the earth… and His command to “be fruitful and multiply”
Some folks, honestly speaking, don’t give it a second thought… they take it for granted. While others, even worse, look down on the privilege to be a participant in the Divine Design of life. I think of the album and movie, “The Wall” by Pink Floyd. It’s a disturbing look into the mind of one of the band’s first members, and has the basic premise that “All in all we’re just another brick in the wall”. How purposeless and hopeless must life be with that kind of perspective!
I don’t know about you, but I take great joy in knowing I have a purpose for being on the planet. I know that though this earthly life is short, there’s so much more coming that I have to look forward to! Join me in this EXRAORDINARY moment of grasping the importance and purpose of life even while plodding through the ordinary scenarios of daily life.
“This is the Message from God-of-the-Angel-Armies, Israel's God, to all the exiles I've taken from Jerusalem to Babylon: ‘Build houses and make yourselves at home. Put in gardens and eat what grows in that country. Marry and have children. Encourage your children to marry and have children so that you'll thrive in that country and not waste away. Make yourselves at home there and work for the country's welfare. Pray for Babylon's well-being. If things go well for Babylon, things will go well for you… I know what I'm doing. I have it all planned out—plans to take care of you, not abandon you, plans to give you the future you hope for. When you call on me, when you come and pray to me, I'll listen. When you come looking for me, you'll find me. Yes, when you get serious about finding me and want it more than anything else, I'll make sure you won't be disappointed.” Jeremiah 29:4-7; 11-13 (MSG)
Peace!
Darrin
Last week, I rejoiced with my daughter Jessica and son-in-law James, as we witnessed the miracle of the birth of their son Harrison. I didn’t know what I was expecting, but becoming a grandfather far surpasses all previous expectations. My wife Christy and I feel too young to be grandparents… but after thinking about it, I’m actually several years older than my grandfather was when my twin sister and I were born.
It’s amazing to consider the part we play in the unfolding of God’s plan on the earth… and His command to “be fruitful and multiply”
Some folks, honestly speaking, don’t give it a second thought… they take it for granted. While others, even worse, look down on the privilege to be a participant in the Divine Design of life. I think of the album and movie, “The Wall” by Pink Floyd. It’s a disturbing look into the mind of one of the band’s first members, and has the basic premise that “All in all we’re just another brick in the wall”. How purposeless and hopeless must life be with that kind of perspective!
I don’t know about you, but I take great joy in knowing I have a purpose for being on the planet. I know that though this earthly life is short, there’s so much more coming that I have to look forward to! Join me in this EXRAORDINARY moment of grasping the importance and purpose of life even while plodding through the ordinary scenarios of daily life.
“This is the Message from God-of-the-Angel-Armies, Israel's God, to all the exiles I've taken from Jerusalem to Babylon: ‘Build houses and make yourselves at home. Put in gardens and eat what grows in that country. Marry and have children. Encourage your children to marry and have children so that you'll thrive in that country and not waste away. Make yourselves at home there and work for the country's welfare. Pray for Babylon's well-being. If things go well for Babylon, things will go well for you… I know what I'm doing. I have it all planned out—plans to take care of you, not abandon you, plans to give you the future you hope for. When you call on me, when you come and pray to me, I'll listen. When you come looking for me, you'll find me. Yes, when you get serious about finding me and want it more than anything else, I'll make sure you won't be disappointed.” Jeremiah 29:4-7; 11-13 (MSG)
Peace!
Darrin
Tuesday, May 4, 2010
Beginning A NEW Leg Of The Race
Just yesterday, we (Life House Church) celebrated our 2nd Birthday! I shared with our congregation some principles to help us stay on course as we celebrate the good things God is doing in our midst… And I thought I’d share them with you. We called them ‘Road Rules’ for the race of a life of faith… YOU CAN’T STEER A PARKED CAR… The point being that too much attention to control and security leads to stagnation… Sure, it requires some risk, but we’ve got to keep moving forward toward our goal. The second one was YOU CAN’T DRIVE WITHOUT A BIG WINDSHIELD AND A SMALL REARVIEW MIRROR… Focusing forward, with just a glimpse of the past, enables us to see that we’re moving forward… Those things in the past can serve as guideposts, but shouldn’t become trophies or souvenirs.
Continuing with the race car type of word picture (you’re welcome, NASCAR fans!), the third one was YOU CAN’T PASS IN THE SLOW LANE… The simple truth is that in order to move ahead and make a difference, we must not get left behind… Nor can we get stuck behind those who aren’t willing to move forward in the journey. That pretty much says it all! The next was a very practical one, YOU CAN’T REPAIR THE CAR WHILE IT’S STILL IN MOTION… When a pit sop is needed, the last thing we need to do is step on the gas. Of course this seems like a no-brainer, but how often do we ignore the warning signals? Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest…” Too often we try to ‘keep on keeping on’ to our own detriment. This leads right into the final one, YOU CAN’T RUN ON EMPTY… Sure, it was a great song by Jackson Browne, but without the fuel of faith in Jesus, we’re going nowhere. Hopefully, these five insights (road rules) can help us stay the course, and one day cross the finish line and hear, “Well done, good and faithful servant. Enter into the joy of your Master!”
“Do you see what this means—all these pioneers who blazed the way, all these veterans cheering us on? It means we'd better get on with it. Strip down, start running—and never quit! No extra spiritual fat, no parasitic sins. Keep your eyes on Jesus, who both began and finished this race we're in. Study how he did it. Because he never lost sight of where he was headed—that exhilarating finish in and with God…” Hebrews 12:1-2 (MSG)
Peace!
Darrin
Continuing with the race car type of word picture (you’re welcome, NASCAR fans!), the third one was YOU CAN’T PASS IN THE SLOW LANE… The simple truth is that in order to move ahead and make a difference, we must not get left behind… Nor can we get stuck behind those who aren’t willing to move forward in the journey. That pretty much says it all! The next was a very practical one, YOU CAN’T REPAIR THE CAR WHILE IT’S STILL IN MOTION… When a pit sop is needed, the last thing we need to do is step on the gas. Of course this seems like a no-brainer, but how often do we ignore the warning signals? Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest…” Too often we try to ‘keep on keeping on’ to our own detriment. This leads right into the final one, YOU CAN’T RUN ON EMPTY… Sure, it was a great song by Jackson Browne, but without the fuel of faith in Jesus, we’re going nowhere. Hopefully, these five insights (road rules) can help us stay the course, and one day cross the finish line and hear, “Well done, good and faithful servant. Enter into the joy of your Master!”
“Do you see what this means—all these pioneers who blazed the way, all these veterans cheering us on? It means we'd better get on with it. Strip down, start running—and never quit! No extra spiritual fat, no parasitic sins. Keep your eyes on Jesus, who both began and finished this race we're in. Study how he did it. Because he never lost sight of where he was headed—that exhilarating finish in and with God…” Hebrews 12:1-2 (MSG)
Peace!
Darrin
Monday, March 29, 2010
VELCRO
Have you ever heard of this stuff called “Velcro”? Most of us have… unless, of course, we’ve lived under a rock on an island in the middle of a distant ocean! Now, contrary to reports by Agent K in the movie “Men In Black” that it’s alien technology, this fabric fastener was invented in 1941 by Swiss Engineer George De Mestral. After a hunting trip in the Alps, ole George was intrigued by the burs caught in his dog’s fur, and after examining them under a microscope, was inspired to create the two-part fastener.
It’s been used in all sorts of things… From tennis shoes to the Space Shuttle. It’s amazing stuff, isn’t it? My purpose in writing about “Velcro” has less to do with how it functions as a fastener, though, than an illustration for life. On this journey of earthly life, things latch on to us… And they’re not always good things. And like those little burs, we need to get rid of them.
“When you follow the desires of your sinful nature, the results are very clear: sexual immorality, impurity, lustful pleasures, idolatry, sorcery, hostility, quarreling, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambition, dissension, division, envy, drunkenness, wild parties, and other sins like these. Let me tell you again, as I have before, that anyone living that sort of life will not inherit the Kingdom of God.” Galatians 5:19-21 (NLT)
But, just as “Velcro” has two opposite parts that make it effective, this illustration has another side. Not only are there things that stick to us that we need to get rid of (like the things mentioned above), but there are also things that we need to stick to…
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.” Galatians 5:22-25 (NIV)
The outcome of “living in the Spirit”, and “keeping in step with the Spirit” is producing good fruit. Have you ever tasted an apple, grape or orange that wasn’t good? Pretty disappointing, especially when you know how they’re supposed to taste. We look for the good ones in the produce aisle, don’t we? So does the Lord when He’s looking at the outcome (the fruit) of our lives. And on that note, may you be inspired to make Jesus, the Lord of the Harvest pleased that He picked you. Now, I dare you to ever look at “Velcro” the same again :)
Darrin
It’s been used in all sorts of things… From tennis shoes to the Space Shuttle. It’s amazing stuff, isn’t it? My purpose in writing about “Velcro” has less to do with how it functions as a fastener, though, than an illustration for life. On this journey of earthly life, things latch on to us… And they’re not always good things. And like those little burs, we need to get rid of them.
“When you follow the desires of your sinful nature, the results are very clear: sexual immorality, impurity, lustful pleasures, idolatry, sorcery, hostility, quarreling, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambition, dissension, division, envy, drunkenness, wild parties, and other sins like these. Let me tell you again, as I have before, that anyone living that sort of life will not inherit the Kingdom of God.” Galatians 5:19-21 (NLT)
But, just as “Velcro” has two opposite parts that make it effective, this illustration has another side. Not only are there things that stick to us that we need to get rid of (like the things mentioned above), but there are also things that we need to stick to…
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.” Galatians 5:22-25 (NIV)
The outcome of “living in the Spirit”, and “keeping in step with the Spirit” is producing good fruit. Have you ever tasted an apple, grape or orange that wasn’t good? Pretty disappointing, especially when you know how they’re supposed to taste. We look for the good ones in the produce aisle, don’t we? So does the Lord when He’s looking at the outcome (the fruit) of our lives. And on that note, may you be inspired to make Jesus, the Lord of the Harvest pleased that He picked you. Now, I dare you to ever look at “Velcro” the same again :)
Darrin
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
Life IS The Big Game!
"You've all been to the stadium and seen the athletes race. Everyone runs; one wins. Run to win. All good athletes train hard. They do it for a gold medal that tarnishes and fades. You're after one that's gold eternally. I don't know about you, but I'm running hard for the finish line…" 1 Corinthians 9:24-25 (MSG)
Just a few hours ago, many of us huddled around a TV set, watching the two best teams in football face-off in SuperBowl XLIV. The Saints now have the supreme right to raise the Lombardi trophy and shout “We’re number one!” And, for this season, they are the undisputed World Champions. But, what about the other 31 teams that competed on playing fields throughout the country? They did just as we did… watched the game as a spectators. We can make a lot of interesting comparisons here, between the physical and spiritual realms. We see in the Bible numerous instances of life being compared to things… one of them being an athletic competition.
Much like an athlete needs certain traits to excel, we too must discover and apply the few, key components that our Coach, Jesus, says we need in order to win the race we’re in. Who knows, maybe we can learn something from this annual sporting event that helps us understand what it is that separates the one who succumbs from the one who overcomes in life. I’ll leave you with one final, thought-provoking word from the Apostle Paul:
"Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus." Philippians 3:12-14 (NIV)
Just a few hours ago, many of us huddled around a TV set, watching the two best teams in football face-off in SuperBowl XLIV. The Saints now have the supreme right to raise the Lombardi trophy and shout “We’re number one!” And, for this season, they are the undisputed World Champions. But, what about the other 31 teams that competed on playing fields throughout the country? They did just as we did… watched the game as a spectators. We can make a lot of interesting comparisons here, between the physical and spiritual realms. We see in the Bible numerous instances of life being compared to things… one of them being an athletic competition.
Much like an athlete needs certain traits to excel, we too must discover and apply the few, key components that our Coach, Jesus, says we need in order to win the race we’re in. Who knows, maybe we can learn something from this annual sporting event that helps us understand what it is that separates the one who succumbs from the one who overcomes in life. I’ll leave you with one final, thought-provoking word from the Apostle Paul:
"Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus." Philippians 3:12-14 (NIV)
Friday, December 4, 2009
‘Tis The Season
Seasons of celebration are upon us. Not long ago, we celebrated, with our fellow Americans, the Thanksgiving Holiday. You know, the day before “Black Friday”… the unofficial start of the Christmas season, and of course, shopping till you drop!
Thanksgiving, for many, is the preparation and consumption of a massive feast, morning parades, and afternoon football games… and, of course, the obligatory afternoon nap! But, none of these has anything to do with what Thanksgiving is supposed to acknowledge. Our modern holiday traces its origin to a celebration where the Plymouth settlers held a harvest feast after a successful growing season… generally referred to as the “First Thanksgiving.”
As believers in Christ, we of all people should understand the necessity of giving thanks... not based on historical research nor a celebration of national heritage, but rather through the what the Psalmist understood was the reason to give thanks. Psalm 100:4 says, “Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name.”
This, of course, should describe a lifestyle rather than the occasional activity… or even seasonal holiday. With Christmas on the way, may we reflect on the goodness of Him who did not remain as a baby in a manger, but the One who was born, lived, died, and rose again to life that we may live with Him forever… Thank you, Jesus! May You be the reason for our season of celebration!
Thanksgiving, for many, is the preparation and consumption of a massive feast, morning parades, and afternoon football games… and, of course, the obligatory afternoon nap! But, none of these has anything to do with what Thanksgiving is supposed to acknowledge. Our modern holiday traces its origin to a celebration where the Plymouth settlers held a harvest feast after a successful growing season… generally referred to as the “First Thanksgiving.”
As believers in Christ, we of all people should understand the necessity of giving thanks... not based on historical research nor a celebration of national heritage, but rather through the what the Psalmist understood was the reason to give thanks. Psalm 100:4 says, “Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name.”
This, of course, should describe a lifestyle rather than the occasional activity… or even seasonal holiday. With Christmas on the way, may we reflect on the goodness of Him who did not remain as a baby in a manger, but the One who was born, lived, died, and rose again to life that we may live with Him forever… Thank you, Jesus! May You be the reason for our season of celebration!
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