Juggling Eggs

Have you ever felt like you spend your day juggling eggs?

Most people can juggle 3 or 4 eggs without panicking.

However, “life” has a sense of humor and seems to get a kick out of throwing unexpected circumstances into your daily routine. 

So there you are, trudging through your daily routine, juggling your 3 eggs, when without notice, “life” tosses another 3 eggs into the air for you to keep track of.  At this point, most people mutter some sort of expletive your mother would never allow you to use in church.

So here I am, trudging through the fall season, muttering complaints about having to park my motorcycle and the rising price of gas, when out of the blue ~ WHAM ~ 3 more eggs get toss into my daily routine. 

Don’t get me wrong, I love being busy.  And I love having a variety of activities, but have you ever noticed that some activities move you out of your comfort zone and into “the land where nothing is funny”? 

So today, I made 2 observations about these unwelcome activities:

(a)  They take a long time to recover from ~ they seem to drain your reserves and leave you exhausted

(b)  They tempt me to try and “control” things and people that are not supposed to be mine to control 

I know I am rambling, but I suspect that somewhere in all these words, there is a sliver of truth that will stick where it is needed. 

Have you ever noticed that there are some difficult, complicated activities that you seem to be able to do with ease?  And for whatever reason, they don’t seem to suck the life out of you? 

Then there are other activities that are fairly routine that others can handle without much effort ~ yet they drain the life out of you and take days to recover from?

I find this interesting and try to evaluate which activities I am most gifted to do and spend the majority of my time focused on them.  And the activities that I seem ill fitted to accomplish and leave me exhausted, keep them to a minimum. 

So back to my juggling eggs metaphor. 

If I have 6 eggs in the air, but they are projects that the good Lord gifted me to perform, I simply use my time more wisely and keep moving forward.

Yet, if the 6 eggs in the air are projects that I am not well suited for, then I have to slow down and focus my resources to insure everything is handled and I don’t start dropping eggs.

My final observation focuses on the 6 eggs I am not well equipped to handle.  I find that in my struggle to perform adequately in an area out of my comfort zone, I tend to either micromanage or control.  Both of which rob me of my joy and peace because I am attempting to do work which is for God and God alone. 

It is important that each of us recognize our boundaries and limitations.  When I reach a point where there are 32 eggs in the air and I am burning the candle at both ends, the problem is on my end and the solution can only be found in moving back into a healthy relationship with God. 

“You can make many plans,

but the Lord’s purpose will prevail”
Proverbs 19:21

“Humanly speaking, it is impossible.

but with God everything is possible”
Matthew 19:26

Jesus said, “That is why I tell you not to worry

about everyday life – whether you have enough
food to eat or enough clothes to wear.
for life is more than food,
and your body more than clothing.
Look at the Ravens. 
they don’t plant or harvest or store food
in barns, for God feeds them.
And you are more valuable to Him than any birds.
Can all your worries add a single moment to your life?
And if worry can’t accomplish a little thing like that,
what’s the use of worrying over bigger things?”
Luke 12:22-26   

Secrets

I can keep a secret ~ I’m just afraid I’ll tell someone who can’t.  RELAX ~ that is called Monday morning humor. 

Being a pastor has some interesting paradoxes.

First, if people do not trust you to keep their secrets ~ they won’t confide in you.  If they won’t be honest and confide in you, then you can’t help them ~ so this is a “deal breaker”. 

Second, once they have confided in you and share their deepest darkest secrets, then they have a hard time looking you in the eye and tend to avoid you. This is an odd experience.    

Third, some people want me to “think” they are sharing their deepest darkest secret but are really only telling me (a) their side of the story, or (b) a perversion of the truth that they are comfortable with.  I pray that in their hearts, they are warming up to the “truth” but are not ready to embrace all of it “yet“.  I suspect O.J. is dealing with this.  Anyway, they are on the road to truth but it is simply further down the road. 

So part of being a pastor is having the perspective to be patient and allowing people to travel their path to healing and a healthy relationship with God.  There are no shortcuts. 

So WHY for Pete’s sake am I writing a BLOG about this on a Monday morning? 

It is simply this, “When God calls someone to be a pastor ~ part of the calling involves what we call equipping.”  That simply means that God wires us different that most people. 

For a pastor to be God’s “spokesmen”, he needs a different set of tools than a salesman at Sears or a professional welder at Hewscraft. 

A pastor must be able to experience tremendous compassion. 

A pastor’s must be able to experience tremendous discernment.  A pastor’s must be able to experience tremendous….  (this is a long odd list ~ so I will spare you the rest).

My point is this, WHEN you come to me or a minister in your area, KNOW THIS, God has prepared him to meet you where you are ~ without judgment, prepared his mind by saturating it with wisdom found in His Word, prepared his emotions through life experiences, prepared him…. (again, this is a long list and I will spare you) ~ God has prepared this pastor to set aside his personal issues and view your situation from God’s perspective.

“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,

the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort. 
Who comforts us in all our troubles,
so that we can comfort those in any trouble
with the comfort we ourselves have received from God” 
2 Corinthians 1:3-4

“He who conceals his sins

does not prosper,
but whoever confesses
and renounces them finds mercy”
Proverbs 28:13

“The way of a fool seems right to him,

but a wise man listens to advice”
Proverbs 12:15

“Plans fail for lack of counsel,

But with many advisors
They succeed.”
Proverbs 15:22

Moose Drool

Yesterday I was visiting a wonderful church family and as I was leaving, they asked me to deliver a couple eggs to their daughter in Colville.  Their daughter was baking brownies and needed the eggs ASAP.

Delivering 2 eggs is not exactly rocket science except, I was on my motorcycle.  And, contrary to popular opinion, it is more difficult that it seems to bungie cord 2 eggs on the back of a motorcycle.

Last year I purchased a cool sweatshirt from the Kettle Falls High School during a Bulldog fund raiser.  The sweatshirt has officially became my all time favorite motorcycle riding apparel.  And it has a nifty little hand warmer pocket in front that is perfect for carrying a couple eggs.

I was pretty sure I could deliver the eggs but I was also pretty sure they would be broken and I would have to pour them out of my nifty little hand warmer pocket into her batter bowl.

Well, I have built all the excitement into this story line possible and I know how difficult it is to deal with this level of suspense, so yea, I delivered the eggs, unbroken.

As I walked up to the house, I could hear my friend yell down, "It's open, come on in".  I opened the door and there on the stairs going up into their living room, was their adorable year old daughter, sitting by a 6 pack of Moose Drool.  As I stepped towards her, she grinned and handed me a Hallmark card with very large letters that spelled out, "PASTOR".

It was one of those moments in life that I will never forget -- time stopped.

A little known fact is, October is "Pastor Appreciation Month".  Yes, I know, you are suddenly overcome with a urge to express your heartfelt gratitude to your pastor for his faithful service through the year.

My first thought is, your pastor would probably be ok with all expense paid vacation to Maui; however trust me, a year old little cutie with a world class grin, holding a Hallmark card expressing love and appreciation, pointing to a 6 pack of Moose Drool, is unforgettable.

I have observed that when I hold God's Word and deliver God's Message to God's People -- I am invisible.  For me to be effective, it must NOT be about me in any way.  My calling is to simply be God's spokesman.  This is a role I cherish.

However, "Pastor Appreciation Month" moves me into a different role.  At first, I balked.  The whole concept moved me out of my comfort zone and into the limelight.

As I searched my heart and prayed about what attitude God desired from me, the good Lord began showing me Scripture passages commanding people to have a grateful heart and to express thankfulness.

Eventually I learned the lesson God was trying to teach me, "God wants people to practice expressing their thankful heart -- and expressing thankfulness to the Pastor God selected for them is a healthy start".

"And now, friends, we ask you to honor those leaders who work so hard for you, who have been given the responsibility of urging and guiding you along in your obedience. Overwhelm them with appreciation and love"
(The Message)  1 Thessalonians 5:12-13  

 

 

The Cosmic Flat Tire

My dear wifey and I are in total agreement, Monday October 15th, 2012 is a flat tire in the great cosmos.  If you listen closely, you can hear it "thump thump thumping" into the night as it slowly limps along toward Tuesday.  We are convinced that Murphy's Law was on some steroid overdose today.  Whatever could go wrong, not only did, but it did it like a Pittsburg Steeler linebacker.  Trust me, the power of positive thinking was totally ineffective against the onslaught of negative energy that was Monday October 15th, 2012.

So, we sat on our couch this evening plotting on how to turn the tides of change in our favor tomorrow.  There is no way either of us can survive another Monday October 15th, 2012.  I considered making a joke about "Groundhog Day" but realized that Michele is quite fragile and is surrounded by sharp objects.  Discretion is the better part of valor.

So, you ask me, WHY bother documenting such a day that proved to be devastatingly painful?  ANSWER:  I have no idea but I figure that each of you at some point in your journey on this spinning 3rd rock from the Sun may have experienced such a day.

NORMALLY the "marriage agreement" stipulates that ONLY one spouse at a time can have a bad day.  If I am having a bad day, she is required by the marriage contract to have a good day and be the strong partner for me to lean on.  And the plan works both ways.  However, nowhere in the marriage contract is there a stipulation for what we are to do when BOTH of us are ambushed by Murphy's Law.

It would seem that one of the PERKS of being married to "the pastor", would be an endless fountain of positive sage advice based on Biblical insight.  However, on Monday October 15th, 2012, "the pastor" was DRY and I had to hold up my hands and mutter, "sorry, got nuth'n".  The best advice I could muster involved going to the liquor store which, (who knew) statewide went out of business months ago.

So, what pray-tell is my "Spiritual Take-Away" from Monday October 15th, 2012?

If you read the Old Testament, it is FULL of passages that say, "..... and it came to pass".  The term, ".... and it came to pass" involved a lot of turmoil and suffering.  However, after extensively reading the Old Testament, I have never found one single place where it says, "..... and it came to stay".

With that in my friends, I am taking that to suggest that at midnight tonight, the good Lord is going to shake the cosmic Etch-a-Sketch board and let us start over tomorrow, Tuesday October 16th, 2012 with a whole new day.  A cosmic breath of fresh air.

Lamentations 3:22-23
"Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed,
    for his compassions never fail.
They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness."

Moses' humor

GVCC Communion service handout

Garden Valley Community Church

Pastor Shane Moffitt   October 14^th 2012

 

Preparation for the Lord’s Supper
1 Corinthians 11:27-30

 

KEY:  Your Opinion of Jesus Christ
is Revealed in Your Attitude Toward Communion

 UNWORTHY            1 Corinthians 11:27

 Though we are “unworthy” ~ we can  
Celebrate Communion because:

1)   have a MIND that understands

   what Communion really is

2)   have a HEART free from sin

              3)   have a HEART filled with love for
   Jesus Christ & His people

4)   have a WILL in obedience to

   God’s Word

UNWORTHY….

          #1: treats it as UNIMPORTANT

·        11:17-22 divisions & strife

          #2: treats it as a CEREMONY

·        Psalm 51:16-17

          #3: partakes with 

                       UNCONFESSED SIN
·        1 John 1:9, Luke 15:18                          

State employment officials in Tucson, Arizona, posted a sign over a full-length mirror. Directed to job hunters, “Would you hire this person?”

 

EXAMINE                 1 Corinthians 11:28

 

      KEY: examine yourself not others

 #1:  a rigorous self-examination                   

of your life
·        Psalm 139:23, 1 Cor. 10:31

#2.  a rigorous self-examination             
of your motives
·        Psalm 19:14, Proverbs 21:2

#3.  a rigorous self-examination             
of your attitude towards God                            
·        Matthew 22:37, Deut. 10:12

#4.  a rigorous self-examination             
of your attitude towards              
   Lord’s Supper
·        1 Corinthians 11:17-22

#5.  a rigorous self-examination
   of your attitude toward                    
   other Christians
·        John 13:34-35, 1 John 4:7-8

 KEY:  we do NOT come to Communion PERFECTLY

But we DO come to Communion HONESTLY & HUMBLY

Thoughts on Communion

 God instituted the PASSOVER feast when He delivered His people from their 400 years of bondage in Egypt. 

The meal celebrated the death angel’s passing over the houses of those whose doorposts were smeared with lamb’s blood. 

The lamb was roasted and eaten, along with unleavened bread and bitter herbs.  EXODUS 12:1-14

Throughout her history, Israel celebrated this meal in remembrance of the Lord’s deliverance of them, from Egypt to the Promised Land. 

It is still the holiest of Jewish feasts. 

Jesus transformed the Passover meal into the Celebration of a GREATER deliverance that He came to bring.

The Passover was simply a prophecy pointing to the great deliverance of the Messiah. 

When we eat His body and drink His blood, we remember the spiritual and eternal redemption that Jesus bought with the sacrifice of His body and the offering of His blood.  Hebrews 9:22

The Passover celebrated the temporary, physical deliverance of Old Covenant.

The Lord’s Supper celebrates the permanent and spiritual deliverance of the New Covenant.  Luke 22:20,

“This cup which is poured out for you is the new covenant in My blood”. 

The Lord’s Supper reminds us of the cross of Jesus Christ. 

Luke tells us that there were 4 distinguishing marks in the daily life of the early Christians:                 Acts 2:42

a)   Obedient to the Apostles teaching

b)   Fellowship

c)   Breaking of Bread

d)   Prayer

 The “Breaking of Bread” included the celebration of the Lord’s Supper. 

 The early church developed special fellowship meals that they called “love feasts” (Jude 12) that concluded with the Celebration of the Lord’s Supper.

 “love feasts” were much like our "pot lucks”.   

Learning from History

My favorite illustration about loving an enemy is this one.

Abraham Lincoln was held in contempt by a man named Mr. Stanton. He called Lincoln, "A low, cunning clown," and he nicknamed him 'the original gorilla.'

He said that men were foolish to wander around Africa trying to capture a gorilla when they could find one in Springfield, Illinois.

Lincoln never said anything to Stanton, and because Stanton was the best man for the job, when Lincoln needed a war minister for the United States, he chose Mr. Stanton.
He appointed him over all of the soldiers of the United States. He treated him with love and courtesy and the years passed.

The night an assassin's bullet tore out Lincoln's life, in a little room to which the President's body was taken, there stood that same Mr. Stanton, looking down into the silent face of Abraham Lincoln with all it's ruggedness and character.

Speaking through his tears, he said, "There lies the greatest ruler of men the world has ever seen." Because Mr. Lincoln could love him with a forgiving love, he received and return his adoration.

“But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in Heaven….” Matthew 5:45   

Tough Decisions

I am writing this after talking to numerous people that are struggling to determine what they believe on a number of highly controversial topics.

Many of these issues are being forced into the limelight by the media & politicians – forcing each person to make decisions on what they believe.    

So, as you read this blog, my prayer is that you find it a guide to making

“God pleasing decisions”. 

There is one vital concept that Jesus taught during His time on earth that often Christians fail to consider:  Jesus demanded His followers obey His commands – but He did not expect unbelievers to obey His commands.

 “… you do not believe because you are not my sheep. 

My sheep listen to my voice;
I know them, and they follow me”
John 10:26-27

My point is this; to expect the world (politician or the media) to faithfully follow God’s Word – is asking for something they cannot give. 

It is easier for Christians to rant & rave about politicians & the media failing to make us a “Christian nation” than for Christians to obey God’s Word. 

So what does God’s Word commands Christians to do?

“If My people, who are called by My name, will humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land”

2 Chronicles 7:14   

So, “How do you decide what you believe about controversial issues?” 

I have a couple of rules I follow to establish where I land on all issues. 

Rule #1:  Pray and ask for illumination

“But when He, the Spirit of truth, comes,

He will guide you into all truth…”

John 16:13

“If any of you lacks wisdom,

he should ask God,

who gives generously to all without finding fault,

and it will be given him”

James 1:5

Rule #2:  What Does God’s Word say about this? 

“All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work” 

2 Timothy 3:16-17

“Do your best to present yourself to God as on approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth”

2 Timothy 2:15

“How can a young man keep his way pure? 

By living according to your word”

“I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you”

“Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path”

Psalm 119:9 & 11 & 105

·        You have to ask yourself if you will submit to God’s Word and obey what it says?  Will you give God’s Word the authority to change your thoughts, beliefs, attitudes, actions?  (Romans 12:1-2)

Rule #3:  Will God be glorified through this decision? 

“Whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him”

Colossians 3:17

“So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do,

do it all for the glory of God” 

1 Corinthians 10:31

Trust me ~ I have MANY more “rules” but this blog has rambled on long enough.  I am simply posting this in prayer that you open your heart to God’s influence and seek His wisdom and will. 

I’m praying for you…..

God Smirked

Do you remember the old saying, "
If you want to hear God laugh, tell Him your plans"? 

Well, all day I have heard God chortling.   

Today my schedule was packed, from early morning to late at night. 

That was my plan.  

At 10:15 am this morning, I was scheduled to speak in chapel at a local Christian school.  I love speaking in chapel and work hard to have something fresh for them to push around in their brains.  So this morning I put my Bible on the kitchen counter with my "handout notes" for the teens and..... walked out the door. 

I got to the school -- right on time.  I am motivated because the teens are excited to hear God's Word and how it applies to their life.  This is part of the job that I am passionate about and work hard invest my very best.   

Except this time, when I got up to speak, I didn't even have my Bible -- or my cool handouts for them.  I forgot them on the kitchen counter at home.  A pastor getting up to speak without his Bible.  This chapel hour didn't hold a lot of promise for me or the teens. 

So as I'm standing in the back of the chapel trying to decide if I remember enough of my notes to "wing-it", the high school teens performed a quick drama skit.  The skit was how teens should handle dealing with a homeless person that was hungry.  I thought the teens were passionate and clever in their presentation. 

I began praying, "Lord, the skit is about over and You haven't nudged me in any direction on what YOUR MESSAGE is for these teens.  Anytime now would be fantastic. Amen." 

The teens completed their skit and introduced me.  And to make it worse, everyone starting applauding.  Oh good grief.  No pressure. 

God reminded me of the Christian Writer's Conference I attended in Spokane last week.  At the conference I met a remarkable pastor from Nigeria.  He flew all the way from Nigeria to Spokane to attend a 2 day writers conference.  So I shared with the teens, the remarkable work that God did -- putting the pastor from Nigeria and me together in the same room -- sitting next to each other.  The teens seemed ok with this story but they were not exactly on the edge of their seats. 

So I grabbed a pew Bible and opened it to Luke 10:29-37 and shared the story of the good Samaritan.  God seemed to be moving the service toward taking care of people in need so I simply followed the good Lord's lead. The good Samaritan story they responded passionately to. 

God loves blessing His Word. 

My point is this: 

"My grace is sufficient for you,

for My strength is made perfect in weakness." 
Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities,
that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 
Therefore, I take pleasure in my infirmities,
in reproaches, in distresses, for Christ's sake. 
For when I am weak, then I am strong.   
2 Corinthians 12:9-10

Today, I took a leap of faith. 

My head told me that I was destined for failure. 

My heart told me that God had a plan and was working everything out for His glory. 

So at some point, I accepted the fact that if it was God's will for me to stumble and fail -- as long as that would accomplish His plan -- then I was on-board with His plan. 

However, God's plan was for me to step aside and table my personal insights and opinions of the good Samaritan story and allow His Message to flow through me unobstructed. 

It truly was a remarkable experience. 

Thank you Lord for taking my weakness

and accomplishing Your Purpose with power. 

Definition of Love

Today’s blog is going to be short but terribly powerful. 

In fact, I want you to grab a pen and write this down. 

I am going to give you a definition of love that is revolutionary.  

It is such a foreign concept that you will need to ponder it for a while
before its effects begin to reveal themselves. 
Truth is, this definition should be uncomfortable.   

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

True Love is giving someone what they need the most   
     ~ when they deserve it the least    
     ~ at great personal cost to you   
  ~  without getting anything in return
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

TEST of your love:  How do you 
         react when someone hurts you?

Matthew 5:46 NLT

“If you love only those who love you,
What reward is there for that?
Even corrupt tax collectors do that much.
If you are kind only to your friends,
How are you different from anyone else?
Even pagans do that.
But you are to be perfect,
Even as your Father in Heaven is perfect”

So my reflection on this is,

“How Did Our Concept of Love Become So Twisted & Selfish?” 

Let me ask you this,

“What is the opposite of LOVE?” 

Most people immediately answer “HATE”.

But I believe the opposite of LOVE is…. LUST.

Love is NOT selfish.

Love IS giving.
Love is a choice ~ a decision to honor a commitment. 

LUST is 100% SELFISH.

LUST is 100% TAKING. 
LUST is a choice ~ a decision to violate a commitment.

 

Here is my take on this,
God created perfect love in the Garden of Eden.  
(read Genesis chapters 1-3 for background)
However man CHOSE sin over his relationship with God. 

Man CHOSE selfishness over the perfection God created. 

 

YET, God did not shake the board and start over. 

He loved humans so much He….

Romans 5:8-9 NLT

“But God showed His great love for us
by sending Christ to die for us
while we were still sinners.
And since we have been made
right in God’s sight by the blood of Christ,
He will certainly save us from God’s condemnation.”

I promised this would be a short blog and I am trying to keep it short.  The problem is, God’s Word is a record of God demonstrating His love and our long history of rejecting it. 

I find that fascinating. 

Man rejecting a free gift that has the ability to heal and restore. 

Deuteronomy 7:7-8 NLT

“The LORD did not set His heart on you
and choose you
because you were more numerous
than other nations,
for you were the smallest of all nations!
Rather, it was simply
that the LORD loves you,
and He was keeping the oath
He had sworn to your ancestors. 
That is why the LORD rescued you
with such a strong hand from your slavery
and from the oppressive hand
of Pharaoh, king of Egypt.”