Reflections: April 26, 2009

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

Temptation – that was the subject of our passage in James today. According to Jim, we learned the truth about temptation. I'm glad to learn about how I can win over temptation. How about you? What is the one thing you will take away from this weekend's message?

 

The image that will stay with me this week revolves around the word enticed, which literally means "lured by bait." I can visualize a fishing lure and how it is used to catch fish. I know I will be on the lookout for those "lures" that come my way this week. May I encourage you to join me to be on the lookout for the "lures" that tempt us to sin against God? Remember as we live in community we need each other in this area of temptation.

Reflections: April 19, 2009

This week's "Reflection" by Jeff Taylor, Pastor of Teaching & Worship

As you go through this week, I just want to remind you to go before God and reflect on your heart and ask yourself the "three big questions:"

1.    How do I respond to, and view, adversity?
2.    What do I need to ask God for wisdom for?
3.    Where do I waver in my faith, putting trust in things other than God?

Reflections: April 12, 2009

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

As I reflect on the four services, I can't help but think about the many new faces that I saw in church today. It was fun and encouraging to be introduced to so many new people and yet I couldn't help but wonder what they took away from the service. Did they hear a message that would cause them to think differently about Jesus? How many people made decisions today to embrace by faith the truth about the resurrection? I wonder...

 

I also hope that many who are Christians and heard the message this Easter will be encouraged by the truth that they are new creations. I hope it will be a source of help for many as we live in this world the rest of the week. I also hope that many will bring the life of heaven into reality this week.

 

I'd love to hear your comments or questions about the message on Easter Sunday 2009. If you have the time, click on the link below and post your thoughts. God bless.

Reflections: April 5, 2009

This week's "Reflection" by Jeff Taylor, Pastor of Teaching & Worship

"To die for." This has become a common statement in our culture, but is it a statement of your faith and relationship with Jesus? This week I want to encourage all of you - as I am also doing myself - to evaluate recurring issues or times in your life in which you have bailed on the rescue of God and not allowed His plan or will to be worked out in your life. Consider some things that you may need to do in order to avoid the spiritual giving up. God has amazing plans for all of us, as well as full, abundant life. Let's be aware of all that He has done for us as we celebrate His resurrection this week. And let's make seeking Him and sticking with Him more of a day-to-day, moment-by-moment priority. And to realize that He is truly to die for. 

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.