Thursday, January 30, 2020
10 things that will change your life ... and the lives of others
Ten things that can change your life. But be sure you want it changed. And you will help someone else change theirs.
1. Read the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7) every day for one week. Or a month.
2. Pray for every one of the neighbors on your block. If you don't know them, meet them.
3. Have every one of your close neighbors over for a meal this year.
4. As you get to know them, ask if there are specific things you can pray about for them.
5. Find someone at church you don't know, especially if you think they are a visitor. Meet them and invite them to lunch. Or even better, have them over for a meal. Learn their story.
6. Pick someone older that you that you admire spiritually and ask them over. Pick their brain. Tell them you want advice for your life. Hear their story.
7. Pick someone younger in your community of faith and ask them to hang out. Hear what's going on in their life.
8. Follow up by doing something for your new friends. A note of encouragement. Banana bread. A gift card to a restaurant.
9. Invite someone to church. And by someone, I mean a non-believer. Let them know if they have questions about anything, you would love to talk with them about it.
10. Ask God to open doors for you to share your Jesus story. You know, how you met him and what he does for you. When the opportunity comes -- and it will -- have the courage to sit down over coffee and share your story.
These things will change your life. And God will put you in relationships that need you to share Jesus or to help them in their walk. That will change their life.
But when you do these, it will take time, effort, resources. It requires faith and courage.
Real believers committed to making more believers.
Join with us.
1. Read the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7) every day for one week. Or a month.
2. Pray for every one of the neighbors on your block. If you don't know them, meet them.
3. Have every one of your close neighbors over for a meal this year.
4. As you get to know them, ask if there are specific things you can pray about for them.
5. Find someone at church you don't know, especially if you think they are a visitor. Meet them and invite them to lunch. Or even better, have them over for a meal. Learn their story.
6. Pick someone older that you that you admire spiritually and ask them over. Pick their brain. Tell them you want advice for your life. Hear their story.
7. Pick someone younger in your community of faith and ask them to hang out. Hear what's going on in their life.
8. Follow up by doing something for your new friends. A note of encouragement. Banana bread. A gift card to a restaurant.
9. Invite someone to church. And by someone, I mean a non-believer. Let them know if they have questions about anything, you would love to talk with them about it.
10. Ask God to open doors for you to share your Jesus story. You know, how you met him and what he does for you. When the opportunity comes -- and it will -- have the courage to sit down over coffee and share your story.
These things will change your life. And God will put you in relationships that need you to share Jesus or to help them in their walk. That will change their life.
But when you do these, it will take time, effort, resources. It requires faith and courage.
Real believers committed to making more believers.
Join with us.
Thursday, January 23, 2020
Be like Ed and John
I love men of faith. Those who inspire me to be a better Christ follower. I am especially inspired when they are men I know and value as brothers.
So I want to be like John and Ed. They are faithful to their calling as disciples and as husbands. And it is not easy.
John's wife Cindy is in an Alzheimer's unit. It happens to lots of spouses but they are in their very early 70's. Life was hard even before this disease. They buried three adult children. And now this. Cindy is wasting away before his very eyes. But is there every day. Morning, noon, and night. Because it is duty. A duty born out of love and faith. Love of God and love of Cindy. Faith is often seen in the hard work of every day discipleship. Loving your spouse in spite of the circumstances. Going to church and asking about others. Dying to self to serve.
Cindy is trapped in a body with a mind that has betrayed her. She still likes the song Jesus Loves Me. I know because that is the song my wife sings to her. And watching John love Cindy because of Jesus gives me a whole new appreciation of the truth of that song.
Thank you John for helping me be a better Christ follower and a better husband.
Ed's wife Evy is in the same unit. They are in their very early 60's. This is not where they expected to be. I served with Ed as an elder for several years. He was a good shepherd. Evy was a really good elder's wife. Loved people. Still does. Some days you can almost think she is the old Evy. And in some ways she is. Sweet smile. So far still knows Marsha and I every time we visit. But she is losing functionality slowly but surely.
And Ed is there every step of the way. Still makes her laugh. Still treats her like his best girl. Planned for this day and asks God constantly to give him wisdom and strength. Does not see any of this care-giving as a burden. But as a privilege. Because Evy was strong and faithful and loving. Sometimes she was the strong one. Now he is. Like all good marriages.
Ed is teaching me a lot about depending on God. He is showing how to be a better disciple and a better husband.
Sometimes life is hard. I have two brothers who long for Jesus to return. But until then, they live the life they have with love, faith, and courage.
It may not be the same hard road they are on, but I will be on some hard roads before my time here is done. So will you. Face it with love, faith, and courage.
Be like John and Ed.
Tuesday, January 21, 2020
What does God want to happen to me when show up for "church"
Everyone has expectations when they attend church. Or to be accurate, when they attend the worship assembly. I know there are people who want to leave satisfied that they did worship correctly. Others expect a captivating, inspiring sermon. Some want certain kinds of singing. Some study who leads the worship.
Church leaders spend most of their budget/money on the Sunday morning assembly. Pay the preacher/main preacher/lead minister the most money. Be sure the auditorium is comfortable with enough seating that no one is crowded. Spend on the sound system and the projection system.
Communion is important to some.
Do you know what God wants to happen in our assemblies?
He wants us to encourage one another. That is why we do not skip meeting together. He wants us to spend our time motivating each other to love and do good works. Read Hebrews 10:24-25 and you get the sense that God expects our worship assembly to result in our being kingdom people when we leave the assembly.
That may involve singing, and a sermon. Or communion. But the real measure of good worship is not what happens when you are there. It is determined by what happens after you are there.
I Corinthians 14 has a lot of information about worship. I may not be smart enough to understand everything there but there is that section in verses 24 and 25 about an unbeliever that enters our assembly. Hearing the prophecies in our assemblies (preaching/reading the Word/worship/communion) could lead them to fall on their knees and recognize the presence of the Lord. And be convicted of their sin.
So in the discussions of what worship is all about... be sure someone remembers the real outcomes we desire.
Motivate believers to leave and engage in the daily work of love and good deeds.
Inspire non-believers to catch a glimpse of God.
Church leaders spend most of their budget/money on the Sunday morning assembly. Pay the preacher/main preacher/lead minister the most money. Be sure the auditorium is comfortable with enough seating that no one is crowded. Spend on the sound system and the projection system.
Communion is important to some.
Do you know what God wants to happen in our assemblies?
He wants us to encourage one another. That is why we do not skip meeting together. He wants us to spend our time motivating each other to love and do good works. Read Hebrews 10:24-25 and you get the sense that God expects our worship assembly to result in our being kingdom people when we leave the assembly.
That may involve singing, and a sermon. Or communion. But the real measure of good worship is not what happens when you are there. It is determined by what happens after you are there.
I Corinthians 14 has a lot of information about worship. I may not be smart enough to understand everything there but there is that section in verses 24 and 25 about an unbeliever that enters our assembly. Hearing the prophecies in our assemblies (preaching/reading the Word/worship/communion) could lead them to fall on their knees and recognize the presence of the Lord. And be convicted of their sin.
So in the discussions of what worship is all about... be sure someone remembers the real outcomes we desire.
Motivate believers to leave and engage in the daily work of love and good deeds.
Inspire non-believers to catch a glimpse of God.
Thursday, January 09, 2020
My grandson Jake is 14
My grandson, Jake Gilbreth, turns 14 today. He is my oldest grandson and that is special. Here are a few reasons I love Jake and why I am proud of him.
He is absolutely his own person. Jake doesn't have to do what is trendy or what is popular. I admire that. He is unique and does not give in to pressure.
He is funny and I like that. Family trait. He can make anyone laugh.
He is an entrepreneur. He has done custom sneakers, has a very popular YouTube channel, and is very creative. He did both of those businesses on his own. Learned about them, set them up, and executed his plan. I don't know what he will do to make a living but I am certain he will accomplish amazing things.
Loves music. Guitar. Really likes the drums.
Jake's tough. Life is hard and we live in a fallen world. Jake stands up for himself and is adamant about what matters to him.
Good people skills.
Now he is a teenager, so he is in the process of deciding for himself what to do about God, life, people, and his whole world view. I like that he is figuring it out for himself. Of course, I am also certain about what some of those decisions will be.
People skills, work ethic, tough, faith, funny, and not driven by what other people think.
He will do well.
So Jake, keep marching to the beat of your own drum (and you can even play your own drum :).
I love you and am proud of you.
I cannot wait to see what the future holds.
So God thanks for making someone as unique and special as Jake. Watch over him and protect him from evil. Thanks for letting me be his Pops.
He is absolutely his own person. Jake doesn't have to do what is trendy or what is popular. I admire that. He is unique and does not give in to pressure.
He is funny and I like that. Family trait. He can make anyone laugh.
He is an entrepreneur. He has done custom sneakers, has a very popular YouTube channel, and is very creative. He did both of those businesses on his own. Learned about them, set them up, and executed his plan. I don't know what he will do to make a living but I am certain he will accomplish amazing things.
Loves music. Guitar. Really likes the drums.
Jake's tough. Life is hard and we live in a fallen world. Jake stands up for himself and is adamant about what matters to him.
Good people skills.
Now he is a teenager, so he is in the process of deciding for himself what to do about God, life, people, and his whole world view. I like that he is figuring it out for himself. Of course, I am also certain about what some of those decisions will be.
People skills, work ethic, tough, faith, funny, and not driven by what other people think.
He will do well.
So Jake, keep marching to the beat of your own drum (and you can even play your own drum :).
I love you and am proud of you.
I cannot wait to see what the future holds.
So God thanks for making someone as unique and special as Jake. Watch over him and protect him from evil. Thanks for letting me be his Pops.
Tuesday, January 07, 2020
Glenda, West Freeway, and Goldie
I was reminded last week that we live in a fallen world.
My connection with the West Freeway church of Christ goes way back. When I came to Southern Hills as a college student, Clem Thurman was the preacher. He later preached at White Settlement church of Christ. His son David later preached there. I spoke there several times. White Settlement was one of three congregations that came together to form West Freeway. When they had their celebration dinner to kick off the merger, I spoke for it. So when I heard of the shooting it hit close to home. I know lots of church goers in Fort Worth, including my son and his family. So sad for the church. Hurting for the families of the two members killed. Thankful for the testimonies I heard about their lives of faith and the hope of heaven. Hurting for the gunman killed. Wish he had been open to getting more than just food on his previous visits. Wish he had sought Jesus. Britt Farmer, the preacher, and I know each other from preaching circles.
Sin, faith, evil, forgiveness, pain, hope. All mixed together.
Glenda Hilliard. I helped do her funeral Thursday. Met the Hilliards when they moved to Abilene in 1972. Had David and Debra in my youth group. Watched them grow up. Watched their kids grow up. Glenda and Carolyn Smith did the reception at our wedding. Did the reception at Marsha's folks 50th anniversary. She served more meals, hosted more showers, sent more encouragement cards than anyone I have ever known. Never wanted to be recognized. Just wanted to serve.
Faith, love, service, death, hope.
Goldie Aldridge. Got to do her celebration service Friday. Big family. Met the family around her table before the funeral. It was a long table. Very festive. And the coffee was on. Reminded me of God's table for us. Big table so everyone is welcome and there is always room. A place of love, acceptance, and laughter. Always ready for people to show up.
Celebration of life much more than mourning death.
So I thought a lot about different things last week.
Death is real. It can be unexpected. It is a fallen world where evil is real.
Faith wins. It wins in death. Faith is ready to meet death.
This world is not my home.
Hope of heaven.
My connection with the West Freeway church of Christ goes way back. When I came to Southern Hills as a college student, Clem Thurman was the preacher. He later preached at White Settlement church of Christ. His son David later preached there. I spoke there several times. White Settlement was one of three congregations that came together to form West Freeway. When they had their celebration dinner to kick off the merger, I spoke for it. So when I heard of the shooting it hit close to home. I know lots of church goers in Fort Worth, including my son and his family. So sad for the church. Hurting for the families of the two members killed. Thankful for the testimonies I heard about their lives of faith and the hope of heaven. Hurting for the gunman killed. Wish he had been open to getting more than just food on his previous visits. Wish he had sought Jesus. Britt Farmer, the preacher, and I know each other from preaching circles.
Sin, faith, evil, forgiveness, pain, hope. All mixed together.
Glenda Hilliard. I helped do her funeral Thursday. Met the Hilliards when they moved to Abilene in 1972. Had David and Debra in my youth group. Watched them grow up. Watched their kids grow up. Glenda and Carolyn Smith did the reception at our wedding. Did the reception at Marsha's folks 50th anniversary. She served more meals, hosted more showers, sent more encouragement cards than anyone I have ever known. Never wanted to be recognized. Just wanted to serve.
Faith, love, service, death, hope.
Goldie Aldridge. Got to do her celebration service Friday. Big family. Met the family around her table before the funeral. It was a long table. Very festive. And the coffee was on. Reminded me of God's table for us. Big table so everyone is welcome and there is always room. A place of love, acceptance, and laughter. Always ready for people to show up.
Celebration of life much more than mourning death.
So I thought a lot about different things last week.
Death is real. It can be unexpected. It is a fallen world where evil is real.
Faith wins. It wins in death. Faith is ready to meet death.
This world is not my home.
Hope of heaven.
