Monday, June 18, 2007
HOW DO YOU PRACTICE YOUR RELIGION?
A "M" serving in an African nation was asked that question.
She explained that in that culture, what the people did made them religious.
In American Christianity, we probably put more emphasis on what we believe.
Somehow we must bring the two together. What we believe should control
what we do.
So Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, and go forth and live it.
She explained that in that culture, what the people did made them religious.
In American Christianity, we probably put more emphasis on what we believe.
Somehow we must bring the two together. What we believe should control
what we do.
So Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, and go forth and live it.
Wednesday, June 13, 2007
GRADUATION
This week is graduation for Greenville High School seniors. My
daughter Ashley is in this class.
Sunday evening we hosted the class at Baccalaureate Services. This
was one to remember! In the past the host pastor would do about a 15
minute sermon. A few years ago we switched to a different format. This
year we had 4 brief presentations. We did not coordinate what our
message would be and we had no theme going into the service. Let me
share a brief note about each.
Pastor Tana from the Methodist church had the seniors write something
on a paper that they were giving up. (Special teacher, security,
routine, etc.) They then burned the special paper in a symbolic way of
giving it up and trusting God to lead into the future.
Lisa Balbiani the senior class faculty adviser took us outside where
the students burned a list of things they could not do and tied a list
of thing they can do to balloons and released them. This was symbolic of
trusting God with their feelings of inadequacy and using their "can"
abilities to help those around them.
Pastor Cynthia of the Assembly of God came in with a song and a
challenge to give themselves to make a difference in the world where
they live. She used the scripture that talked about being servant of all.
I was left to close out the time. I had an idea a month or so ago
that I went with. I said that all of life is relationships. Some are
short term and some long lasting. Some chosen and some just happen. But
in each relationship, we have a choice. Do I go into the relationship to
see what is in it for me? Or do I go into the relationship to see how I
can make life better for the other person. I used the "Great Commandment:
Love God and your neighbor... " and the "Golden Rule" and challenged
them to go forth and help others.
Without checking with each other, the four of us had basically one
message. Go forth, give of yourselves and your talents, and make a
difference in the world as you go trusting God.
I hope some got the idea.
This class is special to me. Besides the fact that my daughter is
there, 5 of the 20 members are in our morning worship on a regular
basis. Another 10-12 of them have been in some program of our church
through the years. So we have seed planted in most of these young lives.
It will be exciting to watch in the years ahead to see how the seeds germinate
and mature!
daughter Ashley is in this class.
Sunday evening we hosted the class at Baccalaureate Services. This
was one to remember! In the past the host pastor would do about a 15
minute sermon. A few years ago we switched to a different format. This
year we had 4 brief presentations. We did not coordinate what our
message would be and we had no theme going into the service. Let me
share a brief note about each.
Pastor Tana from the Methodist church had the seniors write something
on a paper that they were giving up. (Special teacher, security,
routine, etc.) They then burned the special paper in a symbolic way of
giving it up and trusting God to lead into the future.
Lisa Balbiani the senior class faculty adviser took us outside where
the students burned a list of things they could not do and tied a list
of thing they can do to balloons and released them. This was symbolic of
trusting God with their feelings of inadequacy and using their "can"
abilities to help those around them.
Pastor Cynthia of the Assembly of God came in with a song and a
challenge to give themselves to make a difference in the world where
they live. She used the scripture that talked about being servant of all.
I was left to close out the time. I had an idea a month or so ago
that I went with. I said that all of life is relationships. Some are
short term and some long lasting. Some chosen and some just happen. But
in each relationship, we have a choice. Do I go into the relationship to
see what is in it for me? Or do I go into the relationship to see how I
can make life better for the other person. I used the "Great Commandment:
Love God and your neighbor... " and the "Golden Rule" and challenged
them to go forth and help others.
Without checking with each other, the four of us had basically one
message. Go forth, give of yourselves and your talents, and make a
difference in the world as you go trusting God.
I hope some got the idea.
This class is special to me. Besides the fact that my daughter is
there, 5 of the 20 members are in our morning worship on a regular
basis. Another 10-12 of them have been in some program of our church
through the years. So we have seed planted in most of these young lives.
It will be exciting to watch in the years ahead to see how the seeds germinate
and mature!
By the way all 5 of our youth are going to stay home and go to Feather
River College. So we get to see them and help them as they move on into
maturity. God is good!
