Deuteronomy 6:5 – Love God, your God, with your whole heart: love him with all that’s in you, love him with all you’ve got! (MSG)
Moses was telling Israel to listen obediently and do what they were told by God – his God, their God, the only God. But the biggest thing they had to do was to love God with everything they had.
God didn’t want the people of Israel to love him as a friend, He wanted them to love him as their Father, as their God.
Nicholas has a friend in his first grade class named Cassidy. She is a little red head with freckles and so cute. Nicholas plays with her at school and talks about her here at home and says he ‘loves her’ and this is from his six year old heart.
The other day he came home upset because he thinks she is lying to him. Rebecca asked why do you think that? And he answered, ‘I told Cassidy I loved her and she just looked at me and said we were only friends. So she is lying because someday she will say she loves me.’ Nick was upset to hear her say those words.
After listening to Nick’s story, it made me think about how many times God will tell us he loves us and how many times we look at Him and say we are only His friend. I bet God gets upset when he hears that from us.
God, to some may be just a friend, but to a Christian, he is so much more than that. He is God, our God and the only God and we need to love him with everything we have and we need to tell him daily.
Nancy
Friday, May 29, 2009
Thursday, May 21, 2009
A View from the Porch
I went to button my pants the other morning and discovered that wasn’t going to happen. Clearly an indication I need to start dieting and exercising. Of course the easy solution is to simply buy a new pair of pants that will fit. How many times does God give us a clear indication of what He wants us to do, but because it doesn’t fit us, we look to the easy solution, the easy way out.
Blessings,
Wayne
Blessings,
Wayne
Saturday, May 9, 2009
Moon in May
Now that winter is gone and spring is here, I've been out walking as part of my daily exercise. This evening I decided to go out just before dark to get some fresh air and relieve some stress. As I was walking down my street, I was thinking and brooding about an issue going on in my life. It never seems to end and I dont want to deal with it anymore. I think we all know that feeling.
I got to the end of my road where it meets Robinson Rd. and turned around to go back. Just as I turned around I was stunned to see the most majestic full moon glowing above straight down the opposite end of the road before me. It was golden with a halo around it shining through some wispy pinkish and bluish clouds. I thought wow, Lord, this is breathtaking!
As I stood and stared, in that moment I was reminded that God is the creator of the universe and is more than capable of taking care of me. I saw God in that moon because only God our Father could create something like that.
I also realized in that moment, that as I was walking and brooding that whole time, I just had to look over my shoulder to see that the Father, Son and Holy Spirit is behind me every step of the way.
Suzanne Waddell
I got to the end of my road where it meets Robinson Rd. and turned around to go back. Just as I turned around I was stunned to see the most majestic full moon glowing above straight down the opposite end of the road before me. It was golden with a halo around it shining through some wispy pinkish and bluish clouds. I thought wow, Lord, this is breathtaking!
As I stood and stared, in that moment I was reminded that God is the creator of the universe and is more than capable of taking care of me. I saw God in that moon because only God our Father could create something like that.
I also realized in that moment, that as I was walking and brooding that whole time, I just had to look over my shoulder to see that the Father, Son and Holy Spirit is behind me every step of the way.
Suzanne Waddell
Friday, May 1, 2009
A View from the Porch
View from the Porch
Brothers and sisters, God wants us to be the best that we can be. The best Christian; the best servant; the best spouse; the best parent; the best brother or sister; the best employee; the best neighbor; the best church member, etc. You get the picture. How do we become the best at who we are and what we do? Seems to me, training and practice. Athletes, emergency service personnel, military personnel, landscapers, secretaries, teachers, carpenters, nurses, etc. need practice and training to become the best. Again, you get the picture. Don’t we need practice and training to become God’s best? My answer is, yes. So how do we find the practice and training we need? We find it in reading scripture daily; praying daily; daily devotionals; listening to the Holy Spirit; attending Bible studies and being part of other small groups; attend Christian conferences; worshiping on a regular basis; being an active church member; fellowship; reading Christian books; doing God’s Will; using our spiritual gifts, etc. I’m certain you can come up with your own list. Because we are sinners, the key is, the bottom line is that we DO need to practice and train.
Wayne Moore
Brothers and sisters, God wants us to be the best that we can be. The best Christian; the best servant; the best spouse; the best parent; the best brother or sister; the best employee; the best neighbor; the best church member, etc. You get the picture. How do we become the best at who we are and what we do? Seems to me, training and practice. Athletes, emergency service personnel, military personnel, landscapers, secretaries, teachers, carpenters, nurses, etc. need practice and training to become the best. Again, you get the picture. Don’t we need practice and training to become God’s best? My answer is, yes. So how do we find the practice and training we need? We find it in reading scripture daily; praying daily; daily devotionals; listening to the Holy Spirit; attending Bible studies and being part of other small groups; attend Christian conferences; worshiping on a regular basis; being an active church member; fellowship; reading Christian books; doing God’s Will; using our spiritual gifts, etc. I’m certain you can come up with your own list. Because we are sinners, the key is, the bottom line is that we DO need to practice and train.
Wayne Moore
Thursday, January 29, 2009
A View from the Porch
I have a brush pile in the field behind our house. I tried to burn it last Saturday, but the wood was too wet because of the snow and I had left the pile uncovered. Last night, I put a tarp over the pile since several inches of snow are expected today. After the tarp was in place, I looked up at the stars. The sky was clear. You know, one of those cold, crisp, dark Winter nights. The stars were incredible. As I was looking at the stars, I felt this great sense of being overwhelmed. The creator of the heavens and stars not only loves me, but wants a personal relationship with me. Whew! Brothers and sisters, our God is indeed an awesome God.
Wayne
Wayne
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
Psalm 119:133
Steady my steps with your Word of promise so nothing malign gets the better of me (MSG)
When I read this Scripture, my thought immediately went to "Footprints in the Sand" by Mary Stevenson 1922-1999
Footprints in the Sand
One night I dreamed I was walking along the beach with the Lord.
Many scenes from my life flashed across the sky.
In each scene I noticed footprints in the sand.
Sometimes there were two sets of footprints,
other times there were one set of footprints.
This bothered me because I noticed
that during the low periods of my life,
when I was suffering from
anguish, sorrow or defeat,
I could see only one set of footprints.
So I said to the Lord,
"You promised me Lord,
that if I followed you,
you would walk with me always.
But I have noticed that during
the most trying periods of my life
there have only been one
set of footprints in the sand.
Why, when I needed you most,
you have not been there for me?"
The Lord replied, "The times when you have
seen only one set of footprints in the sand,
is when I carried you."
Mary Stevenson
The other day I went to the ocean with a friend and her big, muscular dog, Keisha. Keisha was so excited to run on the beach and ran in circles, straight lines and zig zags leaving deep, deep footprints in the soft wet sand and my friend had to call Keisha back occasionally so she wouldn't find trouble. The dog's footprints led to nowhere and soon would disappear when the tide came in. There would be no sign she was ever there. No footprints anywhere, gone.
Our own footprints (like the dog prints) can go in many directions and lead to nowhere and get us in trouble (sin).
Let's allow God to lead us in the right direction because His footprints will never disappear. Allow Him to walk with us and keep us out of trouble.
Nancy
When I read this Scripture, my thought immediately went to "Footprints in the Sand" by Mary Stevenson 1922-1999
Footprints in the Sand
One night I dreamed I was walking along the beach with the Lord.
Many scenes from my life flashed across the sky.
In each scene I noticed footprints in the sand.
Sometimes there were two sets of footprints,
other times there were one set of footprints.
This bothered me because I noticed
that during the low periods of my life,
when I was suffering from
anguish, sorrow or defeat,
I could see only one set of footprints.
So I said to the Lord,
"You promised me Lord,
that if I followed you,
you would walk with me always.
But I have noticed that during
the most trying periods of my life
there have only been one
set of footprints in the sand.
Why, when I needed you most,
you have not been there for me?"
The Lord replied, "The times when you have
seen only one set of footprints in the sand,
is when I carried you."
Mary Stevenson
The other day I went to the ocean with a friend and her big, muscular dog, Keisha. Keisha was so excited to run on the beach and ran in circles, straight lines and zig zags leaving deep, deep footprints in the soft wet sand and my friend had to call Keisha back occasionally so she wouldn't find trouble. The dog's footprints led to nowhere and soon would disappear when the tide came in. There would be no sign she was ever there. No footprints anywhere, gone.
Our own footprints (like the dog prints) can go in many directions and lead to nowhere and get us in trouble (sin).
Let's allow God to lead us in the right direction because His footprints will never disappear. Allow Him to walk with us and keep us out of trouble.
Nancy
Saturday, January 24, 2009
Sermon Notes for January 25, 2009
Sermon notes for 2 Corinthians 1:12 through 2:4
As I’m putting the final touches on the sermon, I realize that I won't be dealing with a primary issue of the passage. That issue is Paul explanation to the Corinthians why he changed his mind about the visit to them, and why this change of mind is not vacillation.
Paul and the Corinthians aren’t getting along at this point. He doesn’t fit their model of what an apostle should be – he doesn’t look like, sound like, or act like their ideal public leadership figure. So they’re misconstruing everything Paul does and says. They say, “Paul didn’t come like he said and he can’t be trusted.” They say, “Paul blows hot and cold and can’t be trusted.” So Paul finds himself in a position of having to explain to the Corinthians why he did not come as promised. So Paul says, "Don't read between the lines. Don't look for any hidden meanings. I simply mean what I say."
So Paul handles this explanation by appealing to his conscience – "I know what I intended and it was to come." He further defends himself by saying he doesn’t act like people in the world but behaves in harmony with his relationship with God. He also tells them that part of the reason for his delay in coming was to give them the opportunity to grow up so that he wouldn’t have to discipline them. He really wanted his visit be one of joy and not one of correction. Paul further explains he was motivated out of love for the Corinthians as he shows the anguish of his heart over their situation.
I find it interesting that Paul, who is our model apostle today, should have to defend himself. From our point of view we do anything to welcome Paul and would take what ever he had to offer with delight. It certainly is a historical role reversal.
As I’m putting the final touches on the sermon, I realize that I won't be dealing with a primary issue of the passage. That issue is Paul explanation to the Corinthians why he changed his mind about the visit to them, and why this change of mind is not vacillation.
Paul and the Corinthians aren’t getting along at this point. He doesn’t fit their model of what an apostle should be – he doesn’t look like, sound like, or act like their ideal public leadership figure. So they’re misconstruing everything Paul does and says. They say, “Paul didn’t come like he said and he can’t be trusted.” They say, “Paul blows hot and cold and can’t be trusted.” So Paul finds himself in a position of having to explain to the Corinthians why he did not come as promised. So Paul says, "Don't read between the lines. Don't look for any hidden meanings. I simply mean what I say."
So Paul handles this explanation by appealing to his conscience – "I know what I intended and it was to come." He further defends himself by saying he doesn’t act like people in the world but behaves in harmony with his relationship with God. He also tells them that part of the reason for his delay in coming was to give them the opportunity to grow up so that he wouldn’t have to discipline them. He really wanted his visit be one of joy and not one of correction. Paul further explains he was motivated out of love for the Corinthians as he shows the anguish of his heart over their situation.
I find it interesting that Paul, who is our model apostle today, should have to defend himself. From our point of view we do anything to welcome Paul and would take what ever he had to offer with delight. It certainly is a historical role reversal.
Sunday, January 11, 2009
Sermon Notes for January 11, 2009
Verse 9 "the sentence of death"
There are a number of commentators who feel that Paul is not at all using an analogy here but he is under an actual sentence of death. They believe that somehow, in the Roman court system, Paul had been linked to some of the problems in Ephesus and that he had been convicted under what they see in Roman law as a “known associates” law and had been given a death sentence. If these commentators are correct, Paul walked around day and night knowing if the Romans found him they would execute him. He did not know how to deal with this, and found it had so utterly burdened him to bring him to what we would call clinical depression.
I'm not sure these commentators are correct, as it does go against what I've been taught. But as I considered this, I must say it made the passage come much more alive. Paul isn't just throwing out Christian platitudes, but is showing the Corinthians his true humanity. Today we say Paul was being vulnerable or transparent. This I do hope is true for a Paul who can suffer and find hope in Christ is a Paul I can look up to.
Verses 3 through the end of the book
The word comfort is an interesting one. In the Greek is made up of a combination of two words, PARA and KALEO. The preposition PARA means alongside of, and the verb KALEO means to call. The word PARAKALEO is Greek for “to call one alongside.” Just for kicks, I ran a search on the Greek noun and the Greek verb as translated in the ESV. What I found was that the word is translated with an wide range of meanings, here's my list. This isn’t every occurrence, just every first occurrence.
As a Noun:
Consolation – Lk 2:25
Encouragement – Acts 4:36 (Barnabas, Son of Encouragement)
Comfort – Acts 9:31
Earnestly (Adj) – 2 Cor 8:9
Appeal – 1 Th 2:3
Exhortation – 1 Tim 4:13
As a Verb:
Comfort – Matt 2:18
Appealing – Matt 8:5
Begged – Matt 8:31
Implored – Matt 14:36
Pleaded – Matt 18:32
Entreated – Lk 15:28
Exhort – Acts 2:40
Invited – Acts 8:31
Urge – Acts 9:38
Apologized – Acts 16:39
Asked – Acts 28:26
Encouraged – Eph 6:22
Give Instruction – Tit 1:9
I also read quite a bit of the background on the words and came to the conclusion, for myself, that the commonality in all of them was a commonality of proximity. What I mean by that is all of these things whether encouragement, exhortation, comfort, consoling, asking, urging, begging, whatever were done face to face. There was nothing long-distance here, the closeness of relationship is what matters.
The comfort which Paul speaks out and offers, is the comfort of one who really understands, has been missed through what we are going through, and offers to walk with us for what. This isn't the comfort of a doctor who says, “I can alleviate the suffering, I can give you a pill, I can do an operation.” This is the treasured touch of a friend who says even in the midst of this “I'm here with you.”
There are a number of commentators who feel that Paul is not at all using an analogy here but he is under an actual sentence of death. They believe that somehow, in the Roman court system, Paul had been linked to some of the problems in Ephesus and that he had been convicted under what they see in Roman law as a “known associates” law and had been given a death sentence. If these commentators are correct, Paul walked around day and night knowing if the Romans found him they would execute him. He did not know how to deal with this, and found it had so utterly burdened him to bring him to what we would call clinical depression.
I'm not sure these commentators are correct, as it does go against what I've been taught. But as I considered this, I must say it made the passage come much more alive. Paul isn't just throwing out Christian platitudes, but is showing the Corinthians his true humanity. Today we say Paul was being vulnerable or transparent. This I do hope is true for a Paul who can suffer and find hope in Christ is a Paul I can look up to.
Verses 3 through the end of the book
The word comfort is an interesting one. In the Greek is made up of a combination of two words, PARA and KALEO. The preposition PARA means alongside of, and the verb KALEO means to call. The word PARAKALEO is Greek for “to call one alongside.” Just for kicks, I ran a search on the Greek noun and the Greek verb as translated in the ESV. What I found was that the word is translated with an wide range of meanings, here's my list. This isn’t every occurrence, just every first occurrence.
As a Noun:
Consolation – Lk 2:25
Encouragement – Acts 4:36 (Barnabas, Son of Encouragement)
Comfort – Acts 9:31
Earnestly (Adj) – 2 Cor 8:9
Appeal – 1 Th 2:3
Exhortation – 1 Tim 4:13
As a Verb:
Comfort – Matt 2:18
Appealing – Matt 8:5
Begged – Matt 8:31
Implored – Matt 14:36
Pleaded – Matt 18:32
Entreated – Lk 15:28
Exhort – Acts 2:40
Invited – Acts 8:31
Urge – Acts 9:38
Apologized – Acts 16:39
Asked – Acts 28:26
Encouraged – Eph 6:22
Give Instruction – Tit 1:9
I also read quite a bit of the background on the words and came to the conclusion, for myself, that the commonality in all of them was a commonality of proximity. What I mean by that is all of these things whether encouragement, exhortation, comfort, consoling, asking, urging, begging, whatever were done face to face. There was nothing long-distance here, the closeness of relationship is what matters.
The comfort which Paul speaks out and offers, is the comfort of one who really understands, has been missed through what we are going through, and offers to walk with us for what. This isn't the comfort of a doctor who says, “I can alleviate the suffering, I can give you a pill, I can do an operation.” This is the treasured touch of a friend who says even in the midst of this “I'm here with you.”
Friday, January 9, 2009
View from the Porch
I enjoy going in to the Straw Cellar in Wolfeboro. It’s one of those quaint lakeside gift shops. Debbie doesn’t like me to go in because I usually buy something each time I do go in and their items tend to be expensive. Case in point, I recently purchased a wooden plaque (for $25) which is inscribed as follows: “God didn’t promise days without rain, laughter without sorrow, nor sun without rain, but He did promise strength for the day, comfort for the tears, and light for the way”. Isn’t our God an awesome God? Of course He is. Doesn’t He deserve our attention and our time? Of course He does.
Wayne
Wayne
Saturday, January 3, 2009
Sermon Notes for January 4 2009
Corinth is a city in a culture very much like our own. It was filled with sensuality, it catered to pleasure and was actually very spiritual (don’t mistake that for “very moral” though).
Rome had leveled the city many years before (because of rebellion) and had rebuilt it and settled it with discharged army veterans and people who Rome wanted to reward with land grants. If you look at a map you see it’s pretty important for a trade port and thus it grew very fast. In Paul’s time it was around 200,000 free men and 500,000 slaves. It boasted at Temple of Aphrodite – the goddess of love, fertility and beauty (think Hollywood), a sanctuary to Asclepius – god of healing (think Harvard Medical Center or Lahey Clinic – everyone came for the cure) and was a place of commercialized pleasure (think Las Vegas).
This the climate into which Paul came to plant a church and teach them how to live for Christ – no wonder he had such a difficult time.
Paul seemed to start out well in Corinth, but soon the pressures of the culture and the work of Paul’s detractors had the Corinthian Christians wondering if Paul was the real deal – they challenged him from every angle – his manner of speaking, his health, his poverty, his focus. They dragged Paul over the coals in every imaginable area because Paul’s Christianity didn’t fit well with the culture and worldview of the Corinthians.
But here’s the good part – Paul refused to give up on them. He battled them with a ferocity that reveals the depth of his soul and his caring (dare I say love) for them.
I’ve chosen to preach through 2 Corinthians because Paul lays out how Christianity should look in the midst of a power-hungry culture. This might be rough going, but I think it’s a storm we must weather together.
Rome had leveled the city many years before (because of rebellion) and had rebuilt it and settled it with discharged army veterans and people who Rome wanted to reward with land grants. If you look at a map you see it’s pretty important for a trade port and thus it grew very fast. In Paul’s time it was around 200,000 free men and 500,000 slaves. It boasted at Temple of Aphrodite – the goddess of love, fertility and beauty (think Hollywood), a sanctuary to Asclepius – god of healing (think Harvard Medical Center or Lahey Clinic – everyone came for the cure) and was a place of commercialized pleasure (think Las Vegas).
This the climate into which Paul came to plant a church and teach them how to live for Christ – no wonder he had such a difficult time.
Paul seemed to start out well in Corinth, but soon the pressures of the culture and the work of Paul’s detractors had the Corinthian Christians wondering if Paul was the real deal – they challenged him from every angle – his manner of speaking, his health, his poverty, his focus. They dragged Paul over the coals in every imaginable area because Paul’s Christianity didn’t fit well with the culture and worldview of the Corinthians.
But here’s the good part – Paul refused to give up on them. He battled them with a ferocity that reveals the depth of his soul and his caring (dare I say love) for them.
I’ve chosen to preach through 2 Corinthians because Paul lays out how Christianity should look in the midst of a power-hungry culture. This might be rough going, but I think it’s a storm we must weather together.
Thursday, January 1, 2009
Psalm 139:7
Is there anyplace I can go to avoid your Spirit? To be out of your sight? (MSG)
The answer is no...
Margaret Wise Brown wrote a book in 1942 called 'The Runaway Bunny'. One day the bunny got angry with his mother and decided to run away. His mother said to him, 'If you run away, I will run after you. For you are my little bunny.'
Well, the little bunny came up with all sorts of scenarios of where he could run to, where he thought his mother couldn't find him - he could be a fish in a stream or a crocus in a hidden garden or a rock on a mountain, or climb a tree. She constantly assured him that she would always look for him.
My grandchildren have yet to announce any plans to run away and I know if they ever make that decision, my daughters will find them.
But running away can also mean running away from God, from our responsibilities in life or even from ourselves. As we struggle with issues and decisions or get angry and frustrated with ourselves, we have to remember that we can never hide from God. He goes with us - always and everywhere, beginning and end.
I've run to the ocean at different times thinking I'd find solace and peace there, but it never happened. Actually being there only made things worse and I learned I can't run away from God or from me.
The rest of Psalm 139:8-12 says this: If I climb to the sky, you're there! If I go underground, you're there!, If I flew on morning's wings, to the far western horizon, you'd find me in a minute--you're already there waiting! Then I said to myself, "Oh, he even sees me in the dark! At night I'm immersed in the light." It's a fact: darkness isn't dark to you; night and day, darkness and light, they're all the same to you. (MSG)
God is with us and will never leave us. Like mother bunny said, 'if you run away, I will run after you, for you are my little bunny.' We could say the same thing of God in these words - if you run away, I will be with you on the way and at the other end, for you are my child.
Nancy
The answer is no...
Margaret Wise Brown wrote a book in 1942 called 'The Runaway Bunny'. One day the bunny got angry with his mother and decided to run away. His mother said to him, 'If you run away, I will run after you. For you are my little bunny.'
Well, the little bunny came up with all sorts of scenarios of where he could run to, where he thought his mother couldn't find him - he could be a fish in a stream or a crocus in a hidden garden or a rock on a mountain, or climb a tree. She constantly assured him that she would always look for him.
My grandchildren have yet to announce any plans to run away and I know if they ever make that decision, my daughters will find them.
But running away can also mean running away from God, from our responsibilities in life or even from ourselves. As we struggle with issues and decisions or get angry and frustrated with ourselves, we have to remember that we can never hide from God. He goes with us - always and everywhere, beginning and end.
I've run to the ocean at different times thinking I'd find solace and peace there, but it never happened. Actually being there only made things worse and I learned I can't run away from God or from me.
The rest of Psalm 139:8-12 says this: If I climb to the sky, you're there! If I go underground, you're there!, If I flew on morning's wings, to the far western horizon, you'd find me in a minute--you're already there waiting! Then I said to myself, "Oh, he even sees me in the dark! At night I'm immersed in the light." It's a fact: darkness isn't dark to you; night and day, darkness and light, they're all the same to you. (MSG)
God is with us and will never leave us. Like mother bunny said, 'if you run away, I will run after you, for you are my little bunny.' We could say the same thing of God in these words - if you run away, I will be with you on the way and at the other end, for you are my child.
Nancy
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