Where are the thoughts?

I know that I haven't posted any new thoughts in a month, but the reason for the draught is a good one.  We've been making a lot of progress with Mustard Seed Missions of late and that work is eating into my time to read and ponder throughout the week.  I have several books on the shelf here at the office that I'm itching to get through, but when God is working amongst his people, as he is now through MSM, that's where my focus needs to be.

This week we have 23 teens and six adults from the Episcopal Diocese of Medina, OH here in Franklin working on MSM projects.  I've had the joy of meeting with these kids each morning as we get the multiple work teams on the road to their sites, and also the responsibility of making sure that MSM's project leaders and projects are running smoothly; and of course, the new MSM referrals keep coming in this week as well, five more already.

In years prior, when Nicole and I were back in Saranac, wondering and anxious about what God wanted us to do, hoping for an opportunity to work full-time in the ministry, and not sure where or when that might be; it was a steady prayer of mine that God would make me more useful to his kingdom.  As you know, don't pray for patience unless you really want to learn how to be patient, and don't pray to be used by God unless you're willing to get to work.  God brought us here, God put us to work, and we're loving it.  Right now I'm just thankful for the opportunity to be a part of what God is doing here in Venango County and thankful to have so many wonderful Christians from all over the county who are willing to join in this mission to the needy in our midst.

Don't worry, I'll get back to writing commentary on books, news, and whatever strikes my fancy soon enough, for now, God's got me too busy.

Sermon Video, "that I may gain Christ" - Philippians 3:1-9

In this passage Paul offers advice to the Church at Philippi in the event that it proves necessary in the future.  He warns them about "dogs" and "mutilators of the flesh" who will try to impose upon them the requirements of the Law (in this case circumcision) in addition to faith in Christ.  Paul views such version of the Gospel, faith plus something else whatever it may be, with horror because he knows from personal experience that self-righteousness is a dead end.
Earlier in life, when Paul was known as Saul, he had every reason to expect that his strict observance of the Law would bring him to God, he was shocked into reality, however, when he met Jesus on the road to Damascus and learned that he had in fact been fighting AGAINST God.  How can that be?  To do the right thing is not enough, God demands a right heart as well, and Saul's was full of self-righteous pride that left no room for compassion for the Lost.
Now, as an Apostle of Jesus Christ, Paul knows that every church must be on its guard against the temptation to add any kind of works before faith (such as: Baptism, Communion, membership, etc.).  We do not work to earn God's favor, we work to celebrate God's grace.  The difference may seem slight, but it means everything.  Salvation is not earned, therefore, I must not stand in the way of anyone who might accept it, more than that, it becomes our duty to share the message of God's love with anyone and everyone we can.

To watch the video, click on the link below:
Sermon Video

Sermon Video: "the work of Christ" Philippians 2:19-30

Paul's letter to the church of Philippi now deals with the personal plans of Timothy, Epaphroditus, and the Apostle Paul himself.  Here we learn that Timothy is a rare type of worker, one who cares more about those he is helping than he does about himself.  Such people are a treasure, worthy of honor, but sadly lacking at times among those who represent the Church.  Likewise, Epaphroditus put his own life on the line to care for Paul's needs, a reminder that serving God is not a free pass against the trials and tribulations of this life; indeed, many who serve God do so in dangerous places, doing work that is itself hazardous.  Lastly, Paul's confidence that he will soon be released from prison to journey in person to Philippi reminds us that our plans are not God's plans.  If Paul, who had toiled for the sake of the Gospel for years, can have his own prayer answered with "no", then certainly we too must understand that God doesn't work for us, we work for him.  The will of God remains largely unknowable, we may get glimpses from time to time and think that we understand what God is doing, but ultimately our task is simple: trust and obey. 

To watch the video, click on the link below:
Sermon Video

Sermon Video: "work out your salvation" Philippians 2:12-13

Paul's asks the people of the church of Philippi to "continue to work out your salvation with fear and treambling".  This isn't an indictment of the Bible's clear teaching of salvation by faith through grace apart from works, rather it is a call to action to those who have ALREADY been saved by grace.  Once we accept what only God could do for us (forgive our sins), our obligation to join in and work for the cause requires us to bear fruit.  As it usually does, the NT speaks here to "your" in the plural; it is our salvation as a local church that needs to be worked on, not my own; we're in this together.  The task is incredible, to spread the Gospel to the ends of the Earth, hence our fear and trembling at such a responsibility.  In the end, Paul assures us that God's power will work through us to make our success possible.

Due to a technical glitch, the portion of the video between the introduction and the 2nd half of verse twelve is unavailable; my hope is that this message of the importance of our purpose and mission will speak to God's people even so...
To watch the video, click on the link below:
Sermon Video

Sermon Video, "As a father has compassion on his children" Psalm 103

When searching for a sermon text for Father's Day, it becomes painfully clear that there are few fathers in the Bible who are known for being good fathers.  This lack of proper fathers is the single greatest need in American society, affecting millions of homes and countless children growing up without a godly father's influence.  In Psalm 103, David highlights the action, heart, and mind of an amazing father, our heavenly father.  God, because of his love and compassion, is an example of the type of father each of us would want as our own.  Throughout the psalm, the example of God resonates with father's as a how-to guide to parenting.  Not only biological fathers, but father figures and anyone and everyone trying to fill the void of a missing father, all would benefit from copying the attitude of God toward the wayward children of humanity.  In the end, God earns the praise directed to him, and so will earthly fathers if they too learn from his love, compassion, and wisdom.

To watch the video, click on the link below:
Sermon Video