Missions

Working Alone

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“I work alone!” Mr. Incredible

This Summer we can hardly wait to see The Incredibles 2. Okay so we’re grandparents but hey we’ve watched every kid movie for the last 16 years thanks to our 7 grandchildren!

In the first movie a young man named Bob also known as Mr Incredible proudly tells his young fan Buddy to get lost. Mr Incredible is in a hurry and has no time to slow down. He’s sure his abilities will be enough to save the day…alone. Later on in the story after he is imprisoned he learns he is not so invincible. He wonderfully discovers that his greatest strength is his family and not his super powers.

In our mission to serve Jesus some of us (or is it only me?) have acted a bit like Bob. We start out feeling super but when we fall into difficulties or temptation we find we are not so strong after all. That is when Jesus” promise to be with us takes on a deeper meaning. He hasn’t promised just to follow us around in case we get in trouble. Jesus has called us on mission to share His teachings with everyone, everywhere, every day. That’s an incredible and impossible job unless we realize that we have all the resources of the universe by our side. The incredible Savior who walked on waves is not just commanding us to go. He is inviting us to dare to walk out on the waters with Him!

Never too Soon to follow Jesus

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Teacher,” he declared, “all these I have kept since I was a boy.”  Jesus looked at him and loved him. “One thing you lack,” he said. “Go, sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” Mark 10:20-21

Lot’s of us see this passage only as a sad reminder of the power of riches over faith in the life of this rich man. But the word also tells us that when Jesus looked at this man – He loved him. Jesus saw a young man who had chosen not to follow his friends in lying or cheating or to follow the example of adults who worshiped other gods.Jesus saw in this young man a faith that caused Him to pause. This first half of the story carries with it an important message – It is never too soon to follow Jesus. We do not need to wait till we grow up, hold an advanced degree in Yada-yada-yada or impress the civic leaders of our community. There is no moment more crucial to our journey of faith than youth. Just as Jesus was angry with His disciples when they tried to hinder children from coming to him so He loved the heart of this young man who firmly stood up for the things that He believed in.

Sadly, many of us give lip service to our youth when we say – “These are the church of tomorrow” But in the eyes of Jesus our youth are the church right now. Right now they have the greatest and most crucial decisions to make. Right now their testimony can make the most powerful impact on the world around them. Right now if we will look at them with the eyes of Jesus Christ and

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love them, we must give them the same opportunity that Jesus gave to this man. Right now it’s time to trust God to call our youth to take up the cross…and our job to equip, pray for and support them as they  sell out for Jesus Christ! Maybe this young man in the gospel of Mark was a future Paul. It could be that hard circumstances later on caused Him to return to the faith and calling of his youth. We will never know that till we get to heaven. But the call to the youth of our generation is not annulled by the failure of one young man who chose to turn away. Remember that for every one who sadly walks away from God there are eleven more willing to say “Yes!” to His call. It is never too soon to leave everything for Jesus and yet it is also never too late to take up our cross and follow Him!

A Life Well Loved

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These recent posts share little snap shots of what God is doing in our local nursing home community. Please be praying for God to extend that grace in a special way this week. I will be attending the ribbon cutting at a new hospice opening in our city. As that God would open a door there, inspire new volunteers to enter into training and carry the hope and comfort of the gospel into this facility. Thanks to all our readers who share a concern and burden for those in long term care. Have a blessed week!

pastorpete51's avatarWalking With Lambs

Why, even the hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not; you are of more value than many sparrows.
Luke 12:7 ESV

Joan* (not her real name) sirs in the corner of the room in her wheel chair with a smile. She cannot make cookies any longer for the grandchildren. Joan will not go to choir practice or sing in the Easter pageant this year. In the harsh viewpoint of the world, Joan’s is a useless life. But when God looks down He sees a happy child who gave joy to her parents. He remembers a loving wife, a wise mother and a caring neighbor. Most of all God has engraved on His heart the very moment Joan gave her life to Him and today after more than 80 years it is still His. So when Jesus walks by her in the wheel chair He stops and delightedly gives…

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