Christmas

The Christmas Season is upon us. Life can become frantic as we try to keep pace with all the demands we allow to crowd our lives. Sometimes we need to stop and take a breath, and consider what this season of celebration is all about. We encourage you to pause a moment and consider the Christmas Narrative in a fresh way. Put yourself in the shoes of those we find in the Christmas Story.

We sing about the Three Kings who came from the Orient following a star to the place of the birth of Christ. In all probability these individuals were not kings, but foreign priests or spiritual advisors who were following the stars to the place where a king was to be born. We might wonder how God could use people like this to confirm the fact that the Son of God was born on earth!

Then there was Mary. Why did God choose Mary to be the one to give birth to the Son of God? What about Mary’s dreams and plans? All of life was going to be affected! Yet, Mary was humble, obedient and devoted to her Lord. God used her to help change the world.

And then there were the farmers. Well, we know them as shepherds. To them was given the most amazing news! Good news of great joy – which was to be for all people! God didn’t give them the news to keep to themselves.

Then of course, there is the Centre of the whole story – Jesus! We can become enamoured with all the trappings of those surrounding the story and forget that the whole point of what was going on was that God was stepping into this world to bring hope.

The Power Of A Positive Perspective

What do you think about most often? what consumes your thinking?

Do you spend hours dreaming about winning the lottery and what you would do with the money if you were to win millions? Do you worry about your children or grandchildren? Do you agonize over problems and problem people at work? What do you think about?

Do you tend to think negatively or positively?

How and what you think makes all the difference. What you think can kill you or it can give you life, hope and a future. A healthy life comes from healthy thinking. You really are what you think!

In Philippians 4:4-8 Paul wrote, Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable--if anything is excellent or praiseworthy--think about such things.  

We discover here that we can develop a healthy way of thinking by first acquiring a positive perspective. We are to rejoice in the Lord always. No matter what circumstances we face, we can see either the positive or the negative. What do you see?

Secondly, develop an optimistic attitude. We are told not to be anxious about anything. Isn't it strange that we find all kinds of excuses for worrying about things going on around us. We drown in a sea of "what if's." Yet, most of those "what if's" never come to be. Give whatever it is you are worrying about to God and let God worry about it. Only worry if you believe you can handle the situation better than God.

Finally, when you stop spending your time worrying, you will continue to think about something. We are encouraged to think about what we know to be true (not all those things we speculate about), Think about what is honorable, what is right (not everything that is true, is right for us to think about), what is pure. Think abou what is positive and thankful, waht is worth an A+, what is excellent and what is worth a standing ovation.

I have a hunch that our lives would change if we changed our thinking to follow the instruction in Philippians 4.

*These thoughts are a summary of the second sermon in the series "The Power Of A Positive Church" I have been preaching at Bethel EM Church in Three Hills, Alberta.

Transitions

Life is about to change for Debbie and me once again. Beginning October 1, 2011 I will begin serving as "Intentional Transitional Pastor" at Bethel EM Church in Three Hills Alberta.

After serving as senior/lead pastor for several decades, we came to Didsbury three years ago where I would serve as associate pastor. When we came I was asked how I would adjust to the role of associate pastor after serving as senior pastor for so long. I said I didn't know, and we would have to see. I was given the responsiblities to oversee the worship, small group, newcomers and adult education ministries. I looked forward to the opportunity to try somethings I had always wanted, but had never had the time.

After one year of serving in this role, I did not feel settled in what I was doing. I told myself that I needed more time to adjust. After two years I knew that this role was not for me. Too much of me was pressing me to be involved in the strategic leadership of the church. I missed preaching on a consistent basis and managing ministry programing was not "getting me up in the morning." I began to pray regularly - weekly if not daily - that the Lord would show me me where he was directing me. Silence. I continued to pray and journal about my interaction with the Lord, and about his apparent silence on the matter.

Finally in the Spring of 2011 I could no longer remain silent. I talked to a few key people about my inner need to make a change. Still, the Lord was not opening any doors. In time I talked to our senior pastor about what I was going through. Fortunately he was completely supportive in my quest to find God's place for us.

Part of our dilemna was that we felt we would like to stay living in Didsbury for at least another year - for various reasons. How could we make a change and remain living here. Then the thought crossed my mind, "what if there was a church within driving distance of Didsbury that needed an interm pastor?" Then we could remain living here and I could use the gifts and passions that God has given me. I talked to our Regional Ministers about this, but there seemed to be no church in the area that needed an interm pastor.

Then the Lord began to reveal His amazing planning. The senior pastor at Bethel EM Church in Three HIlls resigned. The church decided they wanted someone to come in for about a year to be their Intentional Transitional Pastor (ITP). We began to dialogue and in the course of time the decision was made for us to leave Zion EM Church in Didsbury to become the ITP at Bethel Church in Three Hills.

On October 1st, I will officially begin ministry in Three Hills. We will continue to live in Didsbury where Debbie will keep her job at Front Porch Realty and our daughter Liesel will live with us as she completes her studies at Rocky Mountain College in Calgary. Of course we will miss the regular fellowship at Zion Church - and particularly the worship team I have been leading - our Life Group - and the staff at the church. But I am excited about the work that lies ahead and the opportunity to make a real difference in God's church.

He Is Alive And It Makes All The Difference

I wonder what that "first" Easter morning was like. I expect that for most people it was an ordinary morning to begin a week. However, for the followers of Jesus it was anything but ordinary. Their leader had been taken from them. Then, to their surprise, Jesus Christ rose from the dead and conquered death.

Jesus is alive and it makes all the difference. This was my theme as I preached my sermon on Easter Sunday. Jesus is alive and it makes all the difference becuase He (by His Spirit) is with us 24/7 now - which is both comforting and challenging); He desires to guide and direct us as we ask him and follow his leading; He conquered death so that we may also live (life does not end when we physically die).

Jesus is alive and it does make all the difference. To listen to the full sermon go to www.zemc.org and follow the links to listen to a sermon on April 24, 2011.