January 2013 - Worlds in Crisis

Crisis. Not normally a word we like to have describe our situation. We tend to see this word by the definition: "a dramatic emotional or circumstantial upheaval in a person's life." Seems like something to be avoided. However, we may be missing another part of the definition: "a  stage in a sequence of events at which the trend of all future events, especially for better or for worse, is determined; turning point"; or "a condition of instability or danger, as in social, economic, political, or international affairs, leading to a decisive change." (all definitions from dictionary.com)

North American culture is often seen to be pursuing pleasure but for many it is more about avoiding pain. I remember seeing a movie in which the main character is seen taking pills early in the story to handle what he thought were panic attacks; only to discover later that they were suppressing super-human abilities he had. I'm not a pain seeker but could it be that the attempt to avoid it has actually robbed us of the things God desires for our lives? The very change we desire that will determine a different and better future is often sitting in the midst of crisis.

Consider the following verses:

• strengthening the souls of the disciples, encouraging them to continue in the faith, and saying, "Through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God." (Acts 14:22, NASB)
  
• But he who received the seed on stony places, this is he who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy; yet he has no root in himself, but endures only for a while. For when tribulation or persecution arises because of the word, immediately he stumbles. (Matt. 13:20-21, NKJV)
  
• "I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world." (John 16:33, NLT)
  
• We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. (Rom. 5:3, NLT)
  
• My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing. (Jas. 1:2-4, NKJV)

The United States government is in "crisis mode." They are quickly approaching the "fiscal cliff" and most are trying to avoid it. Some actually want to see what happens if the fiscal cliff provisions within their laws go into effect. They believe that both deep spending cuts and tax increases are what the US needs. Many see these provisions as too painful for the nation to endure without entering another recession. The reality is not whether a crisis can be avoided. Crisis really is about the decision.

Crisis is actually a Greek word. It appears 48 times in the KJV New Testament and is translated as "judgement" 41 times--normally in relation to the judgement of God. Krisis (κρίσις) is decision. The tribulations, trials, sufferings and problems that we face can bring us to crisis points--points of making life-changing decisions. You may wonder why you seem to repeat some difficulty in your life. I would suggest you consider whether God is calling you to a meaningful decision that will change your course in a way He desires. You may be encountering a new trial in your life. As I was working on this pondering several people have encountered, or faced the possibility of, the death of a loved one. This puts people in the place of having to make decisions for the future.  Many others are facing crises of different sorts or types.

This pondering is not what I thought I would be saying at the beginning of 2013. I chose to write on this because there are many people facing their own choices who need to be encouraged to choose faith and life. Moses final challenge to the Israelites was to choose life in obeying God's voice (Deu. 30:19-20). Joshua's challenge to serve The Lord was the same in the valley at Shechem (Josh. 24:15). Sometimes our decisions are for life-giving change, while others are for life-sustaining steadfastness in the decisions we have already made. Go into 2013 having already made right decisions and sticking to them. These decisions will help you in continuing to make the right decisions with the help of the Judge (Is. 11:4; 2 Tim. 4:8).

Journeying with you,  Pastor Merril

December 2012 - His Increase

Merry Christmas! :)

“For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given; ....” (Isaiah 9:6)

This is an often quoted Scripture at this time of year.  I had actually been thinking of this passage before someone brought it to my attention last night.  I knew then that the Lord was wanting us all to be aware of it.

Specifically, He wants us to be aware of the increase He has been and is bringing to us.  Often, however, we look for increases in tangible ways before spiritual ways.  We learn from Hebrews 11:2 that the things which are visible are firstly formed within the things that are invisible.  In 1 Corinthians 5:7 we are reminded that we must walk by faith and not by sight.  The increase in the spiritual/unseen that God had brought to Freedom Centre has been confirmed to me by a few people.

This is an important declaration as we conclude our series on the core values and mission statement of the church.  These are not simply platitudes: these are spiritual frameworks that God is building on the foundation of Jesus.  Generosity, Truth, Freedom, Servanthood, Worship, Grace, Power, Inspiration, Honour, Prayer, Impartation, and Vision, along with God’s mission for this church, have all been spiritually established here.

Look at more than the first couples phrases but at the two verses of Isaiah 9:
For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given; And the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
 Of the increase of His government and peace There will be no end, Upon the throne of David and over His kingdom, To order it and establish it with judgment and justice From that time forward, even forever. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this. (Isaiah 9:6-7 - NKJV)
Jesus is establishing and increasing His rule in authority and power (government) at the Freedom Centre and it will increase without end.  Coming to the conclusion of this series is by no means the conclusion of what Jesus is doing in our midst.  I look forward to the continued increase.  I look forward to the invisible becoming visible.

Bless you this Christmas!  Bless you for 2013!

Journeying with you,   Pastor Merril

November 2012 - Order and the Organic

I’ve had a question, a pondering, that has been running through my mind for some time now and which I would like to ask you: Which came first, the chicken or the egg? It’s an old question but a relevant one. Literal biblical creationism would view it as the chicken being first. However, that simple answer is not where this question is leading. The question is whether order comes before life or vise versa.

Let’s consider some biblical pointers to the answer to this question before taking it a step further. There are examples of the order-first side: Adam was created from the dust of the earth before God breathed into him and he came to life; Solomon’s temple was created and everything organized before God’s visible presence filled the temple; & Jesus said He was going ahead of us to prepare a place for us before we get there. On the life-first side you might have: the Spirit hovered over the waters while the earth was still without form; Israel existed as God’s nation prior to God giving order to their worship of Him; the church existed prior to the council at Jerusalem; & the church was moving in spiritual gifts before Paul put some parameters on it in First Corinthians. So, we are left with examples in both directions.

The reason I am pondering this is because there is a controversy for Charismatic/Pentecostal churches in relation to the “flow of the Spirit” in our midst. There are those on the life-first side that claim any structure or order that may be given by church leadership or the order-first camp will hinder that life by controlling it and “quenching the Spirit.” Those of the order-first side claim that the unhindered aspect of the life-first camp introduces “wild fire” that creates more chaos and destruction than it does life. The first complaint could be seen like being against the old Chinese practice of foot-binding, which, while claiming to beautify, created pain and diminished life. The second complaint could be seen like being against cancer, which is the result of unhindered life (the replication of cells) in the body and actually creates pain and diminishes life.

I want to be clear that I am not trying to point fingers at any individuals but deal with mindsets. How a person thinks does not necessarily indicate who that person is but can clearly affect how that person expresses themselves and their Christian life. Hard-line positions in either camp tend to get wrapped within personal senses of identity and destiny which can negate teachability and a sense of the corporate. Both extremes claim God is directing them and that the other is ultimately unspiritual and/or unbiblical. As a body we need to be aware of the validity that both sides can bring.

I would propose, therefore, that the organic involves order. Where there is life we always see order. If you are of the position that human life begins at conception, then you must also realize the order that DNA brings to that life. Neither life without order nor order without life are acceptable. They are intended to grow in synergy and synchronization with each other.

I know that this balanced approach may not satisfy either camp, but also believe it is where God would have us. It is more of a tightrope to walk and I would encourage you all to pray and support the church leaders in walking that tightrope. Ultimately it isn’t about the chicken or the egg but it is about the God who creates and operates life within order.

Journeying together with you,  Pastor Merril

October 2012 - There's No Such Thing as a Free Lunch

There’s No Such Thing as a Free Lunch

Well, I’m glad you’re still reading.  My title for this month’s pondering has the possibility of stopping a reader, but since you’re still reading, I believe you to be someone who is willing to be both encouraged and challenged.  You embrace being a disciple of Christ.

The core value we covered on September 23rd was, “Truth that Transforms: we share the truth unashamedly and courageously, not simply to inform but to see change in thought and action.”  I’m trusting that, since you’re reading this, you can “handle the truth.” (Cue Jack Nicholson voice; for those who saw A Few Good Men.)  “Faithful are the wounds of a friend, But the kisses of an enemy are deceitful.” (Prov. 27:6)  Taking this verse in balance, then the truth can hurt but we can be deceived or deceive ourselves into comfort.

The comfort the church, especially in North America, can deceive itself into is in the idea that everything in Christ is free.  Salvation is free.  Grace is free.  Fellowship is free.  “Now, whoa pastor!, all those things are free!” some of you might be thinking or saying.  And, you would be right ... up to a point.  Salvation is free, but Jesus paid the price for it. (1 Cor. 6:20; 7:23)  Grace is free, but its often called upon in a place where little or none exists. (Acts 11:23; 2 Cor. 12:9)  Fellowship is free between believers but often we have to lay down our lives for our friends in small and big ways. (John 15:13)

I bring this all up because as we grow in numbers and maturity it will cost us.  Growing in numbers is great but it may cost you your favourite seat on a Sunday morning; some of your time to help in our burgeoning children’s ministry; showing up early on Sunday to help greet or usher; or numerous other things.  Growing in maturity can cost you time and money in looking after our facility together; time and emotional energy in accountability and discipleship; prayer time in seeking and asking and then seeing His Kingdom on earth as it is in heaven; or many other ways.

Most people celebrate and are inspired by what they consider heroic risk or sacrifice that they see or hear about.  I believe we can see those examples here and even more so.  I believe we can be a people who count the cost and willingly lay down everything for the sake of being Jesus’ disciple. (Luke 14:25-33)  I believe there are heroes in our church who know there is no such thing as a free lunch.

So let’s do it—full of belief, confident that we’re presentable inside and out. Let’s keep a firm grip on the promises that keep us going. He always keeps his word. Let’s see how inventive we can be in encouraging love and helping out, not avoiding worshiping together as some do but spurring each other on, especially as we see the big Day approaching. (Heb. 10:23-25, MSG)

Journeying together with you,

Pastor Merril

September 2012 - Back to School

It’s hard to believe September has arrived again--back to school.  Just when the unroutine of summer is becoming the pattern of life, the routine of back-to-school hits you in the face.  While the routine may be very similar to last year, there are significant differences.  There are still the same classes: Math, Science, Language Arts and Social Studies, to name a few.  The content of those classes, however, has changed.  There is a building upon the lessons of the past.  There is also the new.  Natasha is joining the high school choir and this will demand more from her and from her parents as she needs to be at the school an hour and a half before classes begin.

I believe that as a church we are also entering into both the familiar and the completely new but we must recognize and embrace the step up.  We have taken the Core Values class before but now we need to embrace it at a new level that builds upon the lessons of the past and draws out a greater response in us.  Maturing means learning new things and embracing those lessons.  There are also new “optional” classes that arise which can enhance your experience and enrich your life.  I would encourage everyone to take advantage of the Engage services we will be having one Sunday evening per month.

My heart for us is that we not treat what we see or feel is familiar as being the same.  We are not simply taking one more trip around the mountain.  As it is God’s heart to bring increase, we must also be prepared to handle that increase.  Many people dream of winning a lottery worth millions of dollars but the majority of those who do win are unable to handle the increase: many are broke within three years.  Jesus said that when much is given, much is then required.  I’m not referring to a fleshly or natural demand; rather I want you to be aware of the spiritual reality that goes with increase.  You have probably experienced the influence of a tractor-trailer unit driving in the opposite direction on a highway.  It is larger than your car and the increased momentum creates a larger push in front and pull behind.  There are spiritual laws similar to our physical ones.

I’m excited for our future.  Jesus said in Matthew 13:52, “Every student of the Scriptures who becomes a disciple in the kingdom of heaven is like someone who brings out new and old treasures from the storeroom.”  Summer has been fun, but now its time to have a different kind of fun as we go back to school.

Journeying together with you,

Pastor Merril

August 2012 - Blank Slate

Hey, have you noticed something?  Did you see what happened in our building?  You may have missed it.  I know, now you’re going to go looking around to try to see what has been added.  Let me help you a little, it’s not what’s been added but what’s been removed.

A blank slate has been created.  Some signage remains to help with the function and flow of the building, but all of the pictures and banners have been removed from the entrance to the hallway to the Common Room to the foyer to the stage.  Now, this is not the pondering about nothing.  Rather, it’s the pondering that’s really about something.

It can be difficult to write a message on a mage that is already full of words.  It is impossible to paint a scenic picture on a canvas that is already filled with a portrait.  It is hard to speak while someone else is already filling the air with their voice.  You cannot give something to someone who already has full hands.  The building is being prepared to say something new.

You should understand, however, that while we will be saying something “new” it doesn’t mean that it’s completely new.  You may paint different things on a canvas, but the frame and the canvas must remain for each painting.  The building itself says many things about the “canvas” that is being painted on.  We are still situated in the same place.  We are still reaching out to the same region of Edmonton.  We are still serving God to the best of our abilities--following after His purpose and call on us as a church.

Shifts happen.  We are not the same church that was birthed over 50 years ago.  We are not singing songs from over 100 years ago and I am not preaching to you in Ukrainian.  While we currently call ourselves Freedom Centre Church, we were previously Clareview Pentecostal Assembly and began as Beverly Pentecostal Tabernacle--a Ukrainian Church in the Slavic Branch in the PAOC.

Back to our blank slate.  There are some new things to be said, but we are not quite ready to say them.  I would encourage you to make yourself ready to hear them next month.  God has already been painting these things on the canvas of our lives.  Having some good anticipation to hear these things can prepare the soil of our souls to receive them from Him.

Journeying with you,

Pastor Merril

July 2012 - Impressing God

It sometimes amazes me as to what people want to impress others with.  Sometimes people lay on the big words, big ideas and big knowledge trying to impress with intellect.  Sometimes it’s the attempt to impress with success through speaking about wealth or position.  Sometimes its gifts and talents as they seek approval from their abilities.  While these are all good when taken in a proper perspective, there is something that does have a significant impression on me.  I’m sensitive to it because I believe God is also sensitive to it.  This really impresses God.

I bring this up as a counterbalance to my last pondering.  While intellect is important, we should not hold that it is the most important.  There is a trap in thinking.  Paul wrote that knowledge puffs up (1 Cor. 8:1).  I admit that there have been times where my theology (knowledge of God) has tripped me up from really knowing Him or receiving from Him.  I am not encouraging the throwing off of all we know of God but to recognize that we know and see in part (1 Cor. 13:12).  I am also pointing to something beyond knowledge that God is impressed with.

What impresses God and me is what is seen in the heart, not the head.  Knowledge is easily added to but the training of a heart is a much deeper work.  Consider God’s own words concerning the importance of heart tuning:

• The Lord has sought for Himself a man after His own heart ... (1 Sam. 13:14)
• But the Lord said to Samuel, "Do not look at his appearance or his physical stature, because I have refused him. For the Lord does not see as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart." (1 Sam. 16:7)
• For the eyes of the Lord move to and fro throughout the earth that He may strongly support those whose heart is completely His. (2 Chron. 16:9)

Whether you look at Abraham, Moses, David, Jeremiah, Peter or Paul, you will see God responding to their hearts.  They all had their flaws and made big mistakes but God saw something in them that caused Him to strongly support them anyway.

I am not discounting or diminishing the need for repentance in our lives – the changing of thought and action.  However, if you change thought and action without having a heart that supports it, then it will be short-lived and shallow.  Paul wrote that godly sorrow leads us to repentance – a heart issue (2 Cor. 7:9-11).  The elders have been sensing this sorrow in their prayer times.  God is bringing us to a place of influence with Him like never before by taking us to the place where our hearts are completely His.  From that place of influence, we will have the impact He desires in the world.  I encourage you to go to the places of the heart that God is dealing with today.  These are often deep places of brokenness that God needs to bring wholeness to.  The changes that are coming our way will require it but the rewards will be well worth it.

Journeying with you,   Pastor Merril

June 2012 - You Are What You Think

Psst … hey, I have a confession to make. While I wouldn’t say that I have been secretly doing this, I haven’t necessarily been telling anyone either. From the moment that I came on as Lead Pastor, I have been working to affect your minds. I am keenly interested in the way you think and in influencing it.

This may surprise some of you, but God is also interested in this. Our minds are important to God. He didn’t create our brains so that He could simply circumvent it. He wants us to think His thoughts. He wants us to perceive from His perspective.

The reason this is so important is that we act as we think. You can see this in the student protests in Quebec. If you read news articles you will see that people for and against the protests see them from completely different perspectives. Those against the protests see the actions of the students as wrong. The student protesters are acting based on their beliefs, even to the point of civil disobedience. How we act in relation to God, society, church, family and self is informed by our beliefs.

I suppose I have a tendency to this because I have a bent for teaching. However, Jesus, the Master Teacher, would also say, “Do not think …” (Mt. 5:17) or “Why do you think …” (Mt. 9:4) or “What do you think …” (Mt. 17:25), just as examples. Paul, a teacher, would write, “… to everyone who is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think soberly …” (Rom. 12:3) or “Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus …” (Phil. 2:5).

What we perceive the church to be and how we think it is supposed to function affects how we act, react and respond. I’m not suggesting that everyone is off their rocker in how they think, but we can have, as was said in a Pixar cartoon, a “kink in our think.” The Word will continue to challenge our thinking as we move forward into the purposes and plans He has for His church. He does renew our spirits but our minds must also be renewed (Rom. 12:2).

So, what do you think?

Journeying with you,

Pastor Merril

May 2012 - Completion

Have you ever had any of the following bother or frustrate you?

·       A car that’s missing a bumper

·       A lighted sign with letters not working

·       A strip of grass on a lawn that didn’t get mowed

I’m sure you can come up with other examples. There’s something about incompleteness that seems wrong. It’s intrinsically incorrect to have something that’s only partially done. Often, however, we only notice such things when we first notice it and then it soon becomes part of the landscape. We accept it as the way things are, the way things have always been or as something that will never change.

Jesus was not someone who started something without finishing it. Hebrews 12:2 states that we are to keep “our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith.” Jesus even declares of Himself: “I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End, the First and the Last.” (Rev. 22:13) As God’s beloved children who are to grow up on all ways into the image, stature and fullness of Christ, we should be co-labouring with God on completion of things in our lives and in the life of this church.

You might not be aware of this, but our heavenly Father also does not like things left incomplete. It bothers him to see such things. Jesus sent such a message to one of the churches in the Book of Revelation:

“Write to the angel of the church in Sardis:

“The One who has the seven spirits of God and the seven stars says: I know your works; you have a reputation[lit. have a name] for being alive, but you are dead. Be alert and strengthen[other mss read guard] what remains, which is about to die, for I have not found your works complete before My God. Remember, therefore, what you have received and heard; keep it, and repent. (Rev. 3:1-3, HCSB)

James writes that the areas of faith that we engage and grow in come into completion by our good works.

But do you want to know, O foolish man, that faith without works is dead? Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered Isaac his son on the altar? Do you see that faith was working together with his works, and by works faith was made perfect? (James 2:20-22, NKJV)

The Greek word “telos” and its derivatives occurs in all of these Scripture passages. We have read it as “perfect,” “end,” and “complete.” Taken together is speaks of fullness, completion, and maturity.

I believe God is at work in this hour to bring many things to fullness, maturity and completion. There are areas of prayer and intercession that the elders are co-labouring with Christ to see come to completion. There are aspects of our vision, mission and values as a church that have not been clear enough that God is currently perfecting. There are parts of our building and ministries that have been incomplete that can no longer remain so. And, I believe I am not the only one with whom our Father is saying now is the time to come into full maturity in areas of our lives.

This is both convicting and encouraging. I am challenged and excited. It is in the completion of these aspects of our church and our lives that we will find the release to move forward into the new things God has in store for us. I encourage you to join with Jesus in doing the works or completing the works that God is revealing in this season.

Journeying with you,

Pastor Merril

April 2012 – Resurrection

Yes … Easter does happen this month … and it can seem cliché to speak about the Resurrection.  However, as I was reminded in our Foundations of the Faith class, it is a foundational principle to Christianity.  The difficulty is that it becomes only a yearly reminder or monthly reminder as part of Communion.  As a foundational principle, Paul wrote that without the Resurrection of Jesus there is no proof that God accepted Jesus’ sacrifice on our behalf and that our sins are forgiven; or of a future bodily resurrection for us who believe in what Jesus did for us. (1 Cor. 15:12-23)  Without the Resurrection, Jesus was just another guy who died on a cross.

While the past and the future are important aspects of the Resurrection, it is its present application of that power to our lives that lifts it from the realms of theology, philosophy and nostalgia.  The first present application is the assurance of sins forgiven.  When we confess our sins He is faithful and just to forgive them because of the complete work of the Cross. (1 John 1:9)  Salvation, being born again, is the first and greatest work of God in the life of the believer, but we don’t remain at that point, just as a natural new born doesn’t remain at that stage.  The Resurrection is key to everyday life for the follower of Christ.  Paul prayed that we would know “what is the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe, according to the working of His mighty power which He worked in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places….” (Eph 1:19-20)

Jesus designed us to walk in the power of the Resurrection.  We live in eternal life today; not at some time in the future.  Jesus said: “I tell you the truth, those who listen to my message and believe in God who sent me have eternal life. They will never be condemned for their sins, but they have already passed from death into life.” (John 5:24)  Paul wrote that he no longer lived but Christ lived in and through him. (Gal. 2:20)  I don’t know about you, but the level of that Resurrection Life that was released through the early church challenges me.  There is a power of witness that the church has lost.  “With great power the apostles gave witness to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus.” (Acts 4:33)  Jesus’ own assurance to John the Baptist that He was the Christ was: “Go and tell John the things which you hear and see: The blind see and the lame walk; the lepers are cleansed and the deaf hear; the dead are raised up and the poor have the gospel preached to them. And blessed is he who is not offended because of Me.” (Matt. 11:4-6)

Let’s continue to press forward.  Let’s not settle for less than a powerful demonstration of the Resurrection Life of Christ in His church.  Many strongholds exist in the current experience and thoughts of God’s people but we have been given the weapons to overcome it and walk in fullness of life. (2 Cor. 10:4-6)

Journeying with you,

Pastor Merril

March 2012 - Awaken!

The hand of the Lord came upon me and brought me out in the Spirit of the Lord, and set me down in the midst of the valley; and it was full of bones. Then He caused me to pass by them all around, and behold, there were very many in the open valley; and indeed they were very dry. And He said to me, “Son of man, can these bones live?”  So I answered, “O Lord God, You know.”

Again He said to me, “Prophesy to these bones, and say to them, ‘O dry bones, hear the word of the Lord! Thus says the Lord God to these bones: “Surely I will cause breath to enter into you, and you shall live. I will put sinews on you and bring flesh upon you, cover you with skin and put breath in you; and you shall live. Then you shall know that I am the Lord.”’”  Ezekiel 37:1-6 (NKJV)

I have been thinking on the theme of “awakening” for a few weeks.  I looked through many Scripture passages thinking about it.  There were many I could have used to bring this pondering to you but I felt lead by our Father to bring this one to you.  It speaks to appearances and circumstances.  It also speaks prophetically to outcomes.  The Word of God released overrides circumstances and brings forth God’s desired outcomes.

I began speaking a series of messages on the implications of the New Covenant.  I felt lead to do this because I believe we have to awaken to God’s prophetic outcomes.  If we are to become the church that God intends us to be, if you are to become the fully alive Christian that Jesus intends you to be, if we are to have the impact on our community that Father intends us to have, then we have to receive the Word spoken to us and over us completely, gladly and without reservation.  What He intends for us is not what we are living—can we be satisfied with less?

Ezekiel 37 is so appropriate for us.  Many circumstances in our church and in our individual lives would say that the promise of God is never to be fulfilled.  Even where that Word has been effective, it may have only been partially so.  Ezekiel prophesied as commanded by God, and yet the breath did not come until after him prophesying a second time.  We need to continue to speak God’s Word and words over ourselves and our church.  I truly believe we are becoming what has been prophesied over us.  Don’t sleep waiting for the day to come, for the day is upon us.  Awaken!!!

February 2012 - Questions

Have you ever asked God a question? I’m sure you have. Questions we ask of God are usually deep ones … personal ones … heart-felt ones. Even the asking of the question brings part of the answer as it points us in a direction simply by asking. I have been thinking of questions lately.
More than that, I have been thinking of the questions that God asks. We can be very aware of the questions we have but are you aware of the questions God has? Do you know what Jesus is asking you?

• What do you seek? (John 1:38)


• Who do you say that I am? (Luke 9:20)


• Why are you so fearful? How is it that you have no faith? (Mark 4:40)


• Do you believe that I am able to do this? (Matt. 9:28)


• What do you want Me to do for you? (Mark 10:36)


• If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? (Luke 6:32)


• Did I not say to you that if you would believe you would see the glory of God? (John 11:40)

Jesus was and still is the master at asking the right question of us at the right time. He continues to ask us questions. The above list is just a sampling of the questions Jesus asked in the Gospels. Masterful questions lead us into learning.
I encourage you to search through the Gospels and see the questions Jesus was asking and hear Him asking them of you. I challenge you to not simply ask questions of God hoping He will give you all the answers, but rather listen the questions He is asking of you so that you might discover the answers He wants you to have. And, don’t be superficial with your answers to His questions … His questions are also deep, personal and heart-felt.
Journeying together with you,
                        Pastor Merril

January 2012 - Year of Opportunity

Pastor’s Pondering

Happy New Year! Welcome to 2012.

So … what are you excited about for this year? What are you expecting from the Hand of God? How will this year be better than the last and what good things are in store?

I ask these questions because too much of what I have read or heard from many Christians are doom and gloom. The predictions include the end of the world, collapse of the world financial system, increase of radical Islamism, and the ever-present rapture of the church. While any of these may happen … I have to ask, “So what?” So, what if disasters or destruction comes? So, what is our heavenly Father doing in the midst of it all? How does He want us to interact with our world so He can impact our world?

There is an interesting factor that happens when markets take a sharp drop or even collapse—some people actually thrive through it. While most see doom and gloom, some see opportunity. While many are going from riches to rags, some are going from rags to riches … and some from riches to richer. Do your circumstances present insurmountable opposition or unprecedented opportunity?

Consider what Jesus said in Mark 13:

 5 Jesus replied, “Don’t let anyone mislead you, 6 for many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am the Messiah.’ They will deceive many. 7 And you will hear of wars and threats of wars, but don’t panic. Yes, these things must take place, but the end won’t follow immediately. 8 Nation will go to war against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be earthquakes in many parts of the world, as well as famines. But this is only the first of the birth pains, with more to come.

 9 “When these things begin to happen, watch out! You will be handed over to the local councils and beaten in the synagogues. You will stand trial before governors and kings because you are my followers. But this will be your opportunity to tell them about me. 10 For the Good News must first be preached to all nations. 11 But when you are arrested and stand trial, don’t worry in advance about what to say. Just say what God tells you at that time, for it is not you who will be speaking, but the Holy Spirit.

The Lord would challenge you to look for the unprecedented opportunities in 2012. I am not predicting specific circumstances or events, but I cannot help but predict a loving, merciful, gracious, awesome Heavenly Father wants us to seize the day and capture the opportunity in His Great Name.

Journeying together with you,

    Pastor Merril