Devotions

I was reminded this morning of why I love to do my devotions with my wife with me.  We were both reading our bibles, sipping some very good coffee, when my wife got a little frustrated and said, "how are you supposed to feel encouraged when you are reading about the destruction in Isaiah?"  I did not say anything but later she got to Isaiah 14:24 which reads, "Surely, as I have planned, so it will be, and as I have purposed, so it will happen."  Then she got to Isaiah 17:7  "In that day people will look to their Maker and turn their eyes to the Holy One of Israel.  We had a wonderful discussion of why God lets us go through those time in our lives when things just seem out of control.  Those time when we see everything we have worked for, crumble around us.  It is for one reason, to get us on our knees before God, knowing that He is in control and that He will help us if we call on Him.  Looking back on our journey we can see God in the midst of the worst times in our lives, calling, reaching and guiding us.  What a great realization! O God help us to keep our hearts turned toward you, even in the midst of chaos and turmoil!

Renovations

I am very happy that the renovations at the church are coming to an end.  The floors will be done tomorrow, our sound system should be up and running by Friday and we should have a great re-dedication service on Sunday.  The people of the church did an amazing job and it looks great.  It was kind of cool meeting in the church basement.  It reminded me of when I was a kid and attending the St. Catherines Church of the Nazarene.  We met in the basement and I loved it.  We had so much fun tearing around in the basement, until my sister almost knocked herself out running into the water fountain, that put an end to all the fun.  Having to switch up where you meet for worship makes you think of what is really important in worship.  Worship is about coming before God, with everything we are, and wanting to meet with Him more than anything else.  It is about turning our hearts to God and allowing Him to have full access to our minds and then obeying what He tells us to do.  We can do this in a basement, sanctuary or home.  Worship is not about location it is about God.  Still I will be very happy to have my pulpit back.  

Weekend Away

Well I am heading out to the mountains this weekend with 32 youth.  The theme of the weekend will be "That will leave a mark."  Pray for our teens as they deal with how to live a life of purity in this world.  We will be having a discussion on pornography, but I really want to focus on the fact that Jesus leaves his mark on us so we can leave a mark on the world.  The kids are all leaving a mark, whether they know it or not, the question is what does that mark look like.  If we are Christians it should look like Christ.  Pray for the kids, especially Saturday night and Sunday morning as we tie it all together with the greatest mark that Christ left us, the cross and communion.