McDonald's

  You may know that I have strange dreams.  I often have dreams about people I knew in high school--sometimes we'll be going through strange museums, and the other night a bunch of us were in a minor fender bender in my car.  Often, I wake up wondering exactly what God meant by that.  Recently, I had a dream that I worked in the Apple store in Maastricht, Holland.  (I have never been there and have no idea if there is an Apple store there.  Perhaps God is calling me east?)

  Last night, I had a dream that dealt far more directly with the church.  I had a dream that every time you placed an order at McDonald's, you had to give them the name of the church to which you belonged, and then the church was informed of who was eating at McDonald's.  Believe me, this created quite a stream of information into the church office, with which we were uncertain as to what to do.  Also, confusion was caused by those who simply said "New Hope" and did not specify whether they meant New Hope Baptist or New Hope Presbyterian.

  My first thought, when I woke up, was that I have strange, strange dreams.  The second thought was that my dream was ridiculous.

  But then I started thinking--wouldn't it be amazing if we lived the kind of faith that led us to believe that God cares so much about every aspect of our lives that even our orders at McDonald's (or whatever your dining establishment of choice is--I would choose Zaxby's) were seen as a part of our life before Christ?  Wouldn't it be amazing if we were so aware of God's presence in all that we do that whenever we ate, wherever it was, it was recognized as food that was a gift of God, and that Christ was present with us as we ate?

  I believe that God cares about everything we do, and he wants our hearts and minds to be always focused on him--so that every breath is a prayer, so that every thought is about him.  I believe that what we do at work is just as important as what we do at church, because God is working in and through us in each place we go.  I think what we eat at a fast food location matters to God because everything we do matters--maybe it's not earth-shattering and a critical step in discipleship, but it matters to God because God wants to be a part of every moment of our lives and every beat of our hearts.

  It's ridiculous that a restaurant would ever ask for our church membership.  But maybe we need to think about how we are living as disciples when we are at McDonald's, just as much as when we are at church.

3/21/2012

Holy God,

  It's amazing to read about the way you have been involved in human history.  Time and time again, you have reached out in love to a people who have turned away in sin.  At times, your anger was raised, but you always seem to have a well of compassion from which to draw.  When the people deserved destruction, you chose to offer life.  When the people sinned, you offered redemption.

  In Christ, you came into this life--you became fully human--and experienced temptation, experienced the people's sin directly.  And yet, in the midst of our sin, you brought life.  You brought hope.  In the crucifixion, the height of sin, you found a path to life.

  And you continue to reach out to us, even now.  We still sin, knowing full well that we shouldn't, and yet your Holy Spirit is reaching out, drawing all people to you.  You long for us to live in communion with you.  Be at work in our hearts, Lord, that we may recognize you reaching out to us, and that we may be transformed by your love, so that we live for you alone.

Amen

Matthew 3:1-12

Matthew 3:1-12
  In those days John the Baptist appeared in the wilderness of Judea, proclaiming, ‘Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.’ This is the one of whom the prophet Isaiah spoke when he said, ‘The voice of one crying out in the wilderness: “Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.” ’ Now John wore clothing of camel’s hair with a leather belt around his waist, and his food was locusts and wild honey. Then the people of Jerusalem and all Judea were going out to him, and all the region along the Jordan, and they were baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins.
  But when he saw many Pharisees and Sadducees coming for baptism, he said to them, ‘You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? Bear fruit worthy of repentance. Do not presume to say to yourselves, “We have Abraham as our ancestor”; for I tell you, God is able from these stones to raise up children to Abraham. Even now the axe is lying at the root of the trees; every tree therefore that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. ‘I baptize you with water for repentance, but one who is more powerful than I is coming after me; I am not worthy to carry his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. His winnowing-fork is in his hand, and he will clear his threshing-floor and will gather his wheat into the granary; but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire.’
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  If John we're preaching today, we'd say that he's a little rough around the edges.  Maybe it was the clothing made of camel's hair, or the diet of locusts and honey, or the fact that he called his listeners vipers--but it's hard to understand what brought people out in droves to listen to him.

  At least, it's hard to understand, unless you believe that people can tell where God is at work in people.  I believe that people know when someone is an authentic witness.  I think they listened to John and they trusted that the Holy Spirit was at work within him.  For as hard as his message would have been to hear, I think people listened because they trusted him.

  People notice what is real, and they don't want to be a part of something that isn't.  They can tell when we're faking it.  They can tell when we're going through the motions.  They also know when we really and truly care.  When our faith takes hold of us and changes our lives, I believe that people notice.  When we listen to them with caring hearts, when we are involved in their lives because we love them, they notice.  They see Christ at work in us, and those who are curious will show up.  We just have to trust that God will work in them, just like he works in us.

Blessings

3/20/2012

Gracious Lord,

  I come before you flawed and imperfect.  You have made me in your own image, and yet I have invested so much time and energy in putting on masks and living a life that masks that image.  I don't know that my life glorifies you.

  And yet, in the midst of my sin, you pour out grace.  You offer love and forgiveness that I do not deserve, that is given freely, without condition.  You only ask that I accept your love and live in a grateful response to it.

  Thank you.  Words can scarcely express what an amazing offer, what incredible love, you give.  May my whole heart gives thanks.

Amen

Matthew 2:19-23

Matthew 2:19-23 
  When Herod died, an angel of the Lord suddenly appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt and said, ‘Get up, take the child and his mother, and go to the land of Israel, for those who were seeking the child’s life are dead.’ Then Joseph got up, took the child and his mother, and went to the land of Israel. But when he heard that Archelaus was ruling over Judea in place of his father Herod, he was afraid to go there. And after being warned in a dream, he went away to the district of Galilee. There he made his home in a town called Nazareth, so that what had been spoken through the prophets might be fulfilled, ‘He will be called a Nazorean.’
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  In his youth, Jesus was an exile.  The Son of God, the one who sits on the throne of heaven, hid out in Egypt as a young child, afraid of going home because the ruler was cruel and terrible.  His poor parents had to scratch out a living in a foreign land, waiting for the news that they might come home again.  And then, when they get to come home, they can't return to where they lived.

  In other words, Jesus knows what it's like to struggle with adversity.  I think that we have a hard time accepting the truth that Christ knows how hard life can be.  We think of him as the Son of God who comes in glory, but he was also the poor child who fled his country.  He understands adversity, hardship, and sorrow.  He knows what it is like to yearn for peace and a normal life.  He knows how hard life can be, how it feels when the breaks don't go our way.

  And so we can carry it all to him.  We can tell him about our burdens of sorrows, our struggles with adversity, the difficulties we face.  He understands.  He cares.  He loves you through the midst of it all.  Don't feel guilty for always bringing some new struggle to Jesus--rather be grateful that we have a Savior who understands and cares, and who will walk with us through every difficult step of the road of life.

Blessings

3/19/2012

Dear God,
  I thank you that you have kept me through this night.  I will confess that I am sometimes filled with fear and dread at the thought of sleep, and yet my body slips so willingly into slumber--perhaps it is reminding me that I should trust you more.  You watch over me every night and day, and for that I give you thanks--without your gracious outpouring, I would not survive another minute.  I pray, Lord, that your Spirit gives me the wisdom to follow you today.  I cannot say I always do so well, but I continue to come back in repentance, asking for grace and for strength to live as your child on this day.  Forgive me for the areas in which I have failed, and strengthen me to live in your service on this and every day.

Amen

Matthew 2:13-18

Matthew 2:13-18
  Now after they had left, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, ‘Get up, take the child and his mother, and flee to Egypt, and remain there until I tell you; for Herod is about to search for the child, to destroy him.’ Then Joseph got up, took the child and his mother by night, and went to Egypt, and remained there until the death of Herod. This was to fulfil what had been spoken by the Lord through the prophet, ‘Out of Egypt I have called my son.’
  When Herod saw that he had been tricked by the wise men, he was infuriated, and he sent and killed all the children in and around Bethlehem who were two years old or under, according to the time that he had learned from the wise men. Then was fulfilled what had been spoken through the prophet Jeremiah: ‘A voice was heard in Ramah, wailing and loud lamentation, Rachel weeping for her children; she refused to be consoled, because they are no more.’
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  I will confess that there are stories that I wish were not in the Bible.  Mostly, these are the ones that radically challenge my beliefs and make me uncomfortable.  This is one of them, although it's for different reasons--it just seems so unfair, so horrifying, so wrong.

  That's because it is wrong--but it's important to recognize that evil will put up a fight against good.  In my mind, evil should recognize Christ as Savior and roll over, giving up.  In reality, it doesn't happen quite like that--evil thrashes about like a wounded animal, lashing out at those nearby.  We are all caught up in its death throes.

  But let us make no mistake--Christ has secured a decisive victory over sin and death.  There is no doubt as to the conqueror is.  He has vanquished the foe, but they have not been finished off--that will happen when Christ comes again.

  But when you wonder (like I often do) if there is any hope in the world, if it seems like evil is breaking out everywhere, remember that Christ has already won, and there is no doubt as to who the story ends.  As it is commonly said, omnia vincit amor, love conquers all.

Blessings

3/16/2012

Holy Lord,

  I am surrounded by stuff.  I can't help but wonder what kind of life you would lead if you were alive today, and what you would say to me, surrounded by stuff, owning all of these things that often consume my time and attention.  I have a pretty good hunch as to what you would say, but I freely admit that I cling to them, and I am afraid of losing many of them, as ridiculous as that sounds.  My heart seems unwilling to serve you fully, and I am sorry.  I am sorry for the materialistic side of me that strives for more, that doesn't listen to your voice.  I pray, Lord God, that you Spirit might wash over me and help me see the world properly, and help me see how to live.  I'm not certain how all of your commands translate to the 21st century--I read them once, twice and again, but I wonder how to be faithful in the American life.  What does it mean for me to be a good steward?  How might I serve you by serving others?

  I don't have the answers to so many of these questions, Lord, but I trust that you do, and that you will illumine my heart over time, that I might walk more faithfully along the path you have set for me, in the hopes that I might glorify you with all of my life.

  I love you, Lord.

Amen

Matthew 2:1-12

Matthew 2:1-12


  In the time of King Herod, after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, asking, ‘Where is the child who has been born king of the Jews? For we observed his star at its rising, and have come to pay him homage.’ When King Herod heard this, he was frightened, and all Jerusalem with him; and calling together all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Messiah was to be born. They told him, ‘In Bethlehem of Judea; for so it has been written by the prophet: “And you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for from you shall come a ruler who is to shepherd my people Israel.” ’
  Then Herod secretly called for the wise men and learned from them the exact time when the star had appeared. Then he sent them to Bethlehem, saying, ‘Go and search diligently for the child; and when you have found him, bring me word so that I may also go and pay him homage.’ When they had heard the king, they set out; and there, ahead of them, went the star that they had seen at its rising, until it stopped over the place where the child was.
  When they saw that the star had stopped, they were overwhelmed with joy. On entering the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother; and they knelt down and paid him homage. Then, opening their treasure-chests, they offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. And having been warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they left for their own country by another road.
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  In God's Kingdom, wise men travel from far away to pay homage to an infant, born into poverty.

  In God's Kingdom, this same infant will grow and attend to the poor and the lame, serving others selflessly.

  In God's Kingdom, this infant will die, so that everyone who believes in him might live.

  In God's Kingdom, things are different.

  So to see the world the way that God sees it, we have to be willing to live differently, too.  We have to immerse ourselves in Scripture, that we might more fully understand just how different God's Kingdom is from our earthly kingdom.  We have to understand that no one's status before God is determined by their wealth or power or fame or reputation or good deeds, but rather by the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, who came as a poor infant and reigns over us.  We have to begin to see the world differently, to see our brothers and sisters differently, so that we don't see them clothed in the world's identifiers of rich and poor, of 'in' and 'out', but rather we see each one made in the image of God, each one intimately loved by God, each one worthy of our service, each one a child for whom Christ died.

  We view other people differently, and we view our possessions differently--in God's Kingdom, they're no longer toys to accumulate, or things to possess, but rather tools that can help us serve God and others.

  In God's Kingdom, it's not about us.  Our life is about seeking ways to worship God in all we do--every breath can be a prayer.  It's about bringing our gifts before God and setting them down, so that God might use them.

  In God's Kingdom, the life we lead now is practice for the eternal.  May we spend our time, our love and our energy wisely.

  Blessings

3- 15 E-News (Celebrate the Ides of March!)

Announcements

Easter Party—Saturday, March 31 there will be an Easter Party for the kids here at church from 12-3.

Snack Packs—Thank you for your generosity! Thanks to your help, 50 snack packs are being delivered to East Brainerd Elementary each Friday of March!

New Hope News

Session—The session meets this Sunday. Please be in prayer for them as they discern how best to lead the church.

Sunday School—We'll be diving into Joshua this Sunday morning @ 9:45 in the McMillan Building.

Russ Mabry's address:

Manorhouse
Room 209
1148 Mountain Creek Road
Chattanooga TN 37405

Pray for:

Lynn Meyer

John Brandon, as he performs Friday night and Sunday afternoon

David Smith

Links

Why Jesus?

Is everything for sale?

Homeless as hotspots?

Whose holy ground?

Do Christians reduce poverty?

One thought about what to do with all those pay phones.

Hiking in the Smokies

Text for this Sunday

Judges 7:9-23

 That same night the Lord said to him, ‘Get up, attack the camp; for I have given it into your hand. But if you fear to attack, go down to the camp with your servant Purah; and you shall hear what they say, and afterwards your hands shall be strengthened to attack the camp.’ Then he went down with his servant Purah to the outposts of the armed men that were in the camp. The Midianites and the Amalekites and all the people of the east lay along the valley as thick as locusts; and their camels were without number, countless as the sand on the seashore.When Gideon arrived, there was a man telling a dream to his comrade; and he said, ‘I had a dream, and in it a cake of barley bread tumbled into the camp of Midian, and came to the tent, and struck it so that it fell; it turned upside down, and the tent collapsed.’ And his comrade answered, ‘This is no other than the sword of Gideon son of Joash, a man of Israel; into his hand God has given Midian and all the army.’

 When Gideon heard the telling of the dream and its interpretation, he worshipped; and he returned to the camp of Israel, and said, ‘Get up; for the Lord has given the army of Midian into your hand.’ After he divided the three hundred men into three companies, and put trumpets into the hands of all of them, and empty jars, with torches inside the jars, he said to them, ‘Look at me, and do the same; when I come to the outskirts of the camp, do as I do. When I blow the trumpet, I and all who are with me, then you also blow the trumpets around the whole camp, and shout, “For the Lord and for Gideon!” ’

 So Gideon and the hundred who were with him came to the outskirts of the camp at the beginning of the middle watch, when they had just set the watch; and they blew the trumpets and smashed the jars that were in their hands. So the three companies blew the trumpets and broke the jars, holding in their left hands the torches, and in their right hands the trumpets to blow; and they cried, ‘A sword for the Lord and for Gideon!’Every man stood in his place all around the camp, and all the men in camp ran; they cried out and fled. When they blew the three hundred trumpets, the Lord set every man’s sword against his fellow and against all the army; and the army fled as far as Beth-shittah towards Zererah,as far as the border of Abel-meholah, by Tabbath. And the men of Israel were called out from Naphtali and from Asher and from all Manasseh, and they pursued after the Midianites.

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