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Keeping Unity
July 29th, 2010
Unity is tough to come by and pretty easy to loose.
So, when you HAVE it you have to KEEP it.
The Apostle Paul agrees: “Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit…” (Ephesians 4:3).
In an effort to foster unity please join us on August 7 @ 6 pm @ Riverfront Park for UNITED.
See you there.
Blessings,
John
Riverfront Schedule
FamilyFest 10am-4pm hosted by Family Building Blocks has kids zumba, animals, health information and more.
Fun & Fellowship 4-6pm come early to park, have a picnic with friends, play frisbee and fellowship with others.
United @ 6pm West Salem Foursquare will be uniting for one Saturday service at the Riverfront. *There will be NO Sunday Aug 8th services.
Where to park downtown…
Imagine Being Simon Peter
July 22nd, 2010
Imagine Being Simon Peter
You can’t blame Peter. I probably would have done the same thing if given the opportunity. His close friend and spiritual leader is talking nonsense about having to die and rise again after three days – foolish thinking!
So it was natural for Peter to pull Jesus aside and try to reason with him. Scripture says that Peter “rebuked” Jesus. That word has come to mean “setting an individual on course or setting straight.” Peter was trying to get Jesus to get his story right. It’s at this junction that Jesus gives his famous rebuke to Peter: “Get behind me Satan!”
I don’t feel that Jesus was specifically calling Peter the devil. He was generally addressing the devilish line of thinking that was being displayed in the disciples including Peter. Peter was thinking rationally. Peter was thinking humanly. Peter, however, was not thinking spiritually! He didn’t have the mind of Christ, instead he was thinking out of the reserves of his humanity.
Colossians 3:1 tells us to “set our hearts on things above…set your minds on things above not on earthly things.” Romans 12 exhorts us to “be transformed by the renewing of our minds.” Sounds like Peter needed a renewal of his heart and mind! Don’t we all?
Blessings,
Pastor John
Normal Is Over Rated
July 16th, 2010
“The thief’s purpose is to steal kill and destroy. My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life”. John 10:10
“Come and participate fully” these words have haunted me every day for the past several weeks. God used them to get my attention through a recent conversation with a friend. I left the discussion wrestling with my own hesitancy to fully engage with the people and plans for which God created me. In that moment I realized for the first time, how much of my life, including, relationships, opportunities, and daily moments I have not fully embraced due to fear of failure and rejection, insecurity and pride. Read the full post »
Hot Off the Press: Journaling With God
July 9th, 2010
As we read God’s words, we begin to see how God responds to things. Doing daily devotions re-patterns the way we think and transforms the spirit of the mind. Then when we face similar situations as Jesus did, we begin to respond in the same way.
Journaling is an excellent way to both record and process what God has spoken to us. It’s also a useful tool to use at a later time, to reflect on and review some of the ‘gems’ that you have received. Without writing them down, you may forget those blessings and some very important lessons! And while journaling is a very personal time with the Lord, you may want to share some of your daily journaling with your small group or mentors. Through discussion, you may be able to look deeper into what God is speaking to you, gain new insight and even encourage others. Read the full post »
Kingdom Potential
July 2nd, 2010
I love the story of the little boy that strutted through the backyard with his ball and bat. “I’m the greatest hitter in the world,” he announced. He tossed the ball into the air, swung at it, and missed. “Strike One!” he yelled. He picked up the ball again and said, “I’m the greatest hitter in the world.” He tossed the ball into the air, swung and missed again. “Strike Two!” he cried. Undaunted, he tossed the ball again and yelled, “I’m the greatest hitter in the world.” Swung hard and missed badly. “Strike Three! Wow!” the boy exclaimed. “I’m the greatest pitcher in the world!”
Optimistic? Yep. Read the full post »
Jesus did it. Shouldn’t we?
June 24th, 2010
“At daybreak Jesus went out to a solitary place…” Luke 4:42
“Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed.” Luke 5:16
“One of those days Jesus went out to a mountainside to pray, and spent the night praying to God.” Luke 6:12
Jesus knew how to take timely breaks to replenish his soul. He was the master at balance. He purposefully took time off, not based upon the calendar but for the condition of his soul.
Read the full post »
Walk A Little Slower Dad
June 17th, 2010
I came across this poem (you all know how much I love poetry…NOT), but, anyway…this is good. Read on.
Walk a little slower daddy,
said a child so small.
I’m following in your footsteps
and I don’t want to fall.
Sometimes your steps are very fast,
Sometimes they’re hard to see,
Sometimes they’re a little slower,
Daddy, for you are leading me.
I Shoulda Did It
June 12th, 2010
I shoulda did it.
I can’t believe I said NO.
When I was a senior in high school I was one of three students that were asked to consider being the commencement speaker. The administration asked two people but only needed one. I declined even though I knew exactly what I would have spoken on. I could picture myself on the platform. I knew the exact stories, Scripture and key points I would make. I could even hear myself speaking the words to the crowd and sharing the Gospel with them.
Even in high school, I was no stranger to public speaking. I did it often in speech classes, drama class, school plays and youth group. It wasn’t that I was scared or intimidated. I shoulda said YES. I don’t know why I didn’t.
Promise of Instant Results
June 3rd, 2010
How to Lose 100 Pounds in 2 Hours!
If you read this ad would you pay attention?
A while ago I was given one of those daily calendars at the beginning of the year. It has a different church bulletin blooper on each day. One of the bloopers caught my attention.
“Our church will present a series of classes on various subjects throughout the month of March. The classes offered include: ‘How to Lose 100 Pounds, from 7-9 PM Monday.’”
A Few Things to Remember
May 27th, 2010
Do you ever stop to think and forget to start again?
It seems as if the older I get to more I forget. I live by my to-do lists and handwritten notes. When I sit at a local coffee shop to read my Bible, I will always have an extra napkins on the table in order to capture quick thoughts that I don’t want to forget as I’m in the Word. It seems cheesy, but I’m the kinda guy that would go around with a string tied to my finger as a memory device.
Sadly, I’d probably forget why I have it on!!
In the Scriptures there are a number of things that we are told to remember. On this Memorial Weekend, I wanted to “remind” you of just a few.
1. Remember the Sabbath by keeping it holy (Exodus 20:8)
2. Remember the commands of the Lord that you may obey them (Numbers 15:39)
3. Remember that you were slaves in Egypt (or slaves to sin) and the Lord your God redeemed you (Deuteronomy 15:15)
4. Remember the wonders God has done (1 Chronicles 16:12)
5. Remember the deeds of the Lord and the miracles of long ago (Psalm 77:11)
6. Remember how fleeting is my life (Psalm 89:47)
7. Remember your Creator in the days of your youth (Ecclesiastes 12:1)
8. Remember if your brother has something against you…go and be reconciled (Matthew 5:23)
9. Remember this: whoever sows sparingly will reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously (2 Corinthians 9:6)
10. Remember the poor (Galatians 2:10)
11. Remember Jesus Christ, raised from the dead (2 Timothy 2:8)
12. Remember those in prison as if you were their fellow prisoners (Hebrews 13:3)
13. Remember your leaders, who spoke the word of God to you (Hebrews 13:7)
14. Remember the height from which you have fallen! Repent and do what you did at first (Revelation 2:5)
Just a friendly reminder from your friendly, neighborhood Foursquare Church Pastor…
John
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