Reflections: March 29, 2009

This week's "Reflection" by Gary Keith, Executive & Teaching Pastor

Where is  God in the Mess?

After five weeks of exploring the Old Testament book of Numbers I hope that each of us has a better answer to that question. I don't know what kind of mess you're in right now, but I do know that God is right there in it with you. In these past five weeks we have learned to remember God's past rescues, that we need to stay close to God, that we are not in this alone and should lean on others, to never ever panic, and this week when we are discontent that we need to confess our discontentment as sin and look to God in faith.

 

All of that may sound pretty simple, but the reality is that when life is a mess this is exactly what we need to focus on. I hope this series has been a source of hope and help to you. I know that these past five weeks have been a tremoundous journey for me.

 

If you wouldn't mind, take a minute and jot down your thoughts about this series on the blog link below.

 

Have a great week! Remember this next Sunday is the beginning of Holy Week. I know I'm looking forward to a spiritually meaningful week of remembering and celebrating the very foundation of our Christian faith.

Reflections: March 22, 2009

This week's "Reflection" by Matt Sasso, Pastor of Student Ministries

This past weekend we looked at how in the midst of life’s uncertainty, fearful circumstances can create panic in our lives. Just as the Israelites allowed panic to prevent them from entering the land God had for them, we too can allow panic to prevent us from trusting the promise of God’s presence and power in our lives.

So what are things that generate panic in your life? What are the circumstances that make you ask the questions, "What or who can I trust?" "Where can I turn?" "How can I find control?" God desires that you are filled and living with HIs spirit, not of panic. We trust that God has not given us a sprit of fear, but rather of love and sound mind. Even in the fearful of circumstances we can find hope.

As I was reflecting on this message I know that some of you are in the midst of things in your life that are generating panic. I hope that this weekend was a reminder that you are not alone, that we are still loved by a God that is able to lead us through life’s journey. Sometimes all we can say, “Lord here I am, here is my everything.” It might not feel like much, but God can do amazing things through us and in us when are willing to give 100% commitment, even though we don’t have a 100% belief.

This week I would like to invite you to post some of your thoughts on the LBF blog.

Reflections: March 15, 2009

March 15, 2009
This week's "Reflection" by Gary Keith, Executive & Teaching Pastor

This week in our series, "Where's God in this Mess?" We learned about how the burdens of life can be great and bring us to a point of despair. Moses cried out to God in his moment of despair and God answered with a solution. Part of that solution was to share the burden with others - to let other spirit filled people help shoulder the burden with you.

 

I'm sure this was something that many people realize to be true but how many of us really live in a way that let's other people into our lives. After all we Americans are individuals who many times think we can do it all on our own. But the truth is we need each other - in fact God has wired us for relationship with other people. we need each other. Like the song says, "People who need people are the luckiest people in the world!"

 

As I was reflecting on the message today I realized that many times I know I need the help of others but that American "can do" attitude kicks in and I try to do it all on my own. How about you?

 

Is it hard for you to ask for help from others? Not only that but in our passage today it was clear that the kind of people that helped Moses were spirit-filled people. Would you know who to ask for help when you need it? What do you think about the need to have a spirit-filled person as the one who helps you shoulder your burden?

 

Let's talk - write your thoughts on the BLOG below.

Reflections: March 8, 2009

This week's "Reflection" by Gary Keith, Executive & Teaching Pastor

This week in part two of our series we learned that Moses and the Israelites did all they could to stay close to God. While they were wandering in the desert, God commanded that they build a Tabernacle to be His dwelling place. They knew that He was there when there was a cloud by day or fire by night.

 

On Sunday I shared how great it would be if we could have a cloud or pillar of fire to let us know that we are near God. I also shared that our relationship with God is not a static process, but a dynamic process.  This means that there are NOT five steps that guarantee we will always be in God's presence. Knowing that there are not five simple steps to God's presence, the question to dialogue about this week is, "How do you stay close to God?" and "How do you know you are in God's presence?"

 

Let's learn from each other. Would you mind taking a few minutes after reading this to share how you stay close to God? Thanks so much! We'll see you next week for part three. 

Reflections: March 1, 2009

This week's "Reflection" by Gary Keith, Executive & Teaching Pastor

Lost job – foreclosed mortgage – high credit card debt – relational conflict – lost retirement – lost investments – the stock market crash. It feels like a big mess right now. Have you experienced any of these in your life recently? I know I have. This week we started a new series to see if we can find God in this mess. The first thing we considered in finding God during the desert times of life was to remember God's past rescues.

 

I know that was an important action step for me this past week. I took the time to make a list of the ways God has rescued me in the past. Doing that helped to build my faith for the current rescue I need. Let me encourage you to take some time this week and make a list of the times God has rescued you. Use that as a faith building time for the current rescue you need. Remembering God's faithfulness in the past gives us hope to trust in His faithfulness in the present.