Not long ago I went to dinner with one of my daughters. It was going to be a great evening! I don't often get to spend one on one time with the girls in this kind of atmosphere and I was very excited about it. As we were being seated in the restaurant we passed an old friend of mine. He does not attend FBC and for the purposes of this story I will just call him "Ted".
Now, Ted sees us and calls out to me with the usual "it's been a long time"
and "it's so nice to see you guys". We stood there and talked for few moments to catch up with each other. He is soon to be ordained and asked if I was seeking the same. Soon the discussion turned to Christmas. He asked if were traveling and I said no. It was at this moment that I made my "Big Mistake". I asked Ted, "So, are you guys all ready for Christmas?". What followed next seemed to be a bad mix of Scrooge, The Grinch, and Billy Graham. "What do you mean ready for Christmas?" Ted asked. This was followed by the exclamations "I am so tired of all the ridiculousness of this season.", " No one seems to understand what Christmas is all about anymore!"
Then to my amazement he told me "Someone asked me the other day if I had put my Christmas lights up and of course I said "NO", "Why would I?" The conversation continued and he eventually apologized for going on that way.
Please understand, I love ole Ted. He has been a good friend over the years and he was there when I accepted Christ, cheering me on but, ....what just happened?
Did that family sitting near us just decide if that's how Christians view Christmas then maybe we won't go to the Candlelit service this year? Could it be that our view of how commercialism has killed the meaning of Christmas only nails the lid to the coffin in place?
I agree that Commercialism has corrupted Christmas but let's look at why we, churched and non-churched families alike do what we do this time of year.
Yes, we buy each other gifts, decorate our homes, put up Christmas trees, sing carols and have a nice meal together. Why do we do these things? I think it's because we love one another that we give gifts to express that love. It's to spend time with those that we love and to cherish family tradition that we decorate, sing, and break bread together. It's "Love" that sent a child to save the humanity. It was "Love" that died on the cross. It was "Love" that broke bread, sympathized, cared for, healed, and enlightened those who didn't understand who "Love" is.
It is "Love" that compels us to take care, that our words and our lives invite and teach others the fullness of the Christmas story and what it means for us today.
Just my Thoughts.
Tuesday, December 16, 2008
Tuesday, September 30, 2008
BIG FISH OR LITTLE FISH
It’s a cold winter morning and you awake to the annoying buzz of the alarm clock. It’s time for that age old decision. “Do I get up and leave to comfort of my warm, cozy, comfortable bed or………just roll over sleep away the day. It’s a tempting thought for many of us. Maybe for you the decision is whether to try a new opportunity or direction in some area of life or just stay where you are. Keep things the way they are. No surprises, just the comfort of knowing things will be the way they have always been.
I was out fishing one day not long ago. It was a nice warm day and I was just enjoying one of my favorite pastimes with my wife. As I sat there in the sun mulling over the sermon I had heard that morning it occurred to me that we are a lot like some of those fish. Certain species spend their youth in the shelter and comfort of the inland waters. They thrive there in that protection, safe from the storms and predators of the big water outside of the inlet. There comes a point though, if they are to reach their full potential of 50 or 60 pounds, that they take their chances in the “big water”.
I love the safety and comfort of my church. I like knowing that I know all the people. I can usually anticipate how the service will be. Most everyone there are Christians and will not challenge my faith. It’s safe, warm , and comfortable.
I strongly believe that it is inherently important to take full advantage of this safety zone to grow in the foundations of our faith. Wednesday night bible study to equip us with the scriptural basis of our beliefs. A strong traditional service to teach us the ancient practices of the faith and assemble together as the body united in prayer, worship, and study.
The question is, what if that’s all there is? What if we just stay the way we are, simply continue doing things the way we always do? What if we choose to be comfortable? Will we ever experience our full potential? Will we have the opportunity to put into practice what we learn in a way that changes the world around us? Will we decide today to be “big fish” or “little fish”?
Just my thoughts.
Isaiah 6:8
Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, "Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?" And I said, "Here am I. Send me!"
I was out fishing one day not long ago. It was a nice warm day and I was just enjoying one of my favorite pastimes with my wife. As I sat there in the sun mulling over the sermon I had heard that morning it occurred to me that we are a lot like some of those fish. Certain species spend their youth in the shelter and comfort of the inland waters. They thrive there in that protection, safe from the storms and predators of the big water outside of the inlet. There comes a point though, if they are to reach their full potential of 50 or 60 pounds, that they take their chances in the “big water”.
I love the safety and comfort of my church. I like knowing that I know all the people. I can usually anticipate how the service will be. Most everyone there are Christians and will not challenge my faith. It’s safe, warm , and comfortable.
I strongly believe that it is inherently important to take full advantage of this safety zone to grow in the foundations of our faith. Wednesday night bible study to equip us with the scriptural basis of our beliefs. A strong traditional service to teach us the ancient practices of the faith and assemble together as the body united in prayer, worship, and study.
The question is, what if that’s all there is? What if we just stay the way we are, simply continue doing things the way we always do? What if we choose to be comfortable? Will we ever experience our full potential? Will we have the opportunity to put into practice what we learn in a way that changes the world around us? Will we decide today to be “big fish” or “little fish”?
Just my thoughts.
Isaiah 6:8
Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, "Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?" And I said, "Here am I. Send me!"
Wednesday, September 10, 2008
WWJD
WHAT WOULD JESUS DO?
Every were you look you see it. It’s on little rubber wrist bands, book marks, T-shirts, bumper
stickers-little reminders that as Christians we are called to be little Christ’s to the world around us.
Maybe the better logo would be WDJD (WHAT DID JESUS DO). It’s great to wonder what
would Jesus do in each situation we find ourselves , but how well do you know the character of
your savior?
Just what did Jesus do? Jesus loved all, received all, sympathized and served. Jesus shared meals
with sinners and tax collectors. He forgave and shared his message of salvation with both the despised
prostitute and the innocent child. In his last moments he even prayed for the forgiveness of
those who were killing him. As we journey this life together enduring its trials and reveling in its
joys let us constantly strive to learn what Jesus did so that we may be able to answer the question,
“What would Jesus do?”.
Every were you look you see it. It’s on little rubber wrist bands, book marks, T-shirts, bumper
stickers-little reminders that as Christians we are called to be little Christ’s to the world around us.
Maybe the better logo would be WDJD (WHAT DID JESUS DO). It’s great to wonder what
would Jesus do in each situation we find ourselves , but how well do you know the character of
your savior?
Just what did Jesus do? Jesus loved all, received all, sympathized and served. Jesus shared meals
with sinners and tax collectors. He forgave and shared his message of salvation with both the despised
prostitute and the innocent child. In his last moments he even prayed for the forgiveness of
those who were killing him. As we journey this life together enduring its trials and reveling in its
joys let us constantly strive to learn what Jesus did so that we may be able to answer the question,
“What would Jesus do?”.
Tuesday, September 9, 2008
schnauzer in training to be a retriever
This is our little schauzer "Abby" learning how to dive in the pool and retrieve her ball!!!
I'm Baaaaaackkkkk!
Recently I was preparing a bible study for the youth group. I won't disclose the source but the study was on integrity. This study focused on the story of Ananias and Sapphria in the book of Acts chapter 5. The story goes that this couple were jealous of the attention and notoriety Barnabas received for selling some property he owned and laying all the proceeds at the feet of the apostles to distribute as needed by the church. They decided in their infinite human wisdom to sell some of their own property. The two secretly kept some of the proceeds for their own use and laid the rest at the apostles feet. They evidently made a big show of this and pretended to give all the money from the sell to the church. The Lord revealed the sin of their lie to Peter. The short end of it is that Peter confronted both of them about their lie and the spirit of the Lord struck them dead for their transgression. This is one troubling story for me. The study directed me to allow the kids to discuss if they think that this punishment was too extreme and to direct them to the fact that we should be thankful that Jesus died on the cross, paying for our sins, and protecting us from this kind of harsh judgement.
WHAT???????
AM I MISSING SOMETHING???
HADN'T JESUS ALL READY DIED ON THE CROSS BY THE TIME OF THE EARLY CHURCH IN ACTS???
OK, if there is one thing I have learned about youth its that they are not stupid. This is exactly the kind of question I would expect from these kids in this scenario.
I will choose to focus on the idea that a lack of christian integrity can truly undermine the unity of the church. This truly disables the ministry of the church. not to mention if we don't live what we believe how can we expect the unreached to receive what we believe when we witness to them.
WHAT???????
AM I MISSING SOMETHING???
HADN'T JESUS ALL READY DIED ON THE CROSS BY THE TIME OF THE EARLY CHURCH IN ACTS???
OK, if there is one thing I have learned about youth its that they are not stupid. This is exactly the kind of question I would expect from these kids in this scenario.
I will choose to focus on the idea that a lack of christian integrity can truly undermine the unity of the church. This truly disables the ministry of the church. not to mention if we don't live what we believe how can we expect the unreached to receive what we believe when we witness to them.
Saturday, June 7, 2008
Joshua
I have felt God guiding me to the book of Joshua lately. I started to study this book a few days ago and wow!! God really knows how to bless us when we need it. I love the guidance and reassurance God gives Joshua. I can't even imagine trying to fill the shoes of Moses the way he did. But I realized that it didn't really matter that God had used Moses in such mighty ways. The real deal was the DEAL. God had already set out to complete a purpose. He had made a promise and intended to use Joshua to finish the deal. You see, it was not the ministry of Moses any more than it was going to become the ministry of Joshua. It was the ministry of God. The one true God fulfilling his promise to his people. Even after Joshua and the leading priests of Israel failed to see the deception of the Gibeonites and failed to follow Gods explicit instructions, God still continued on to fulfil his promises. Oh how faithful and forgiving our Father is.
Joshua 9:14 ...they did not consult with God. Oh how many times I have fallen in this same way. I am 40 years old now and oh so in love with God. He so richly blessed me with the most humbling honor. He has called me to ministry. It has been almost a year since I first realized this call. It really has not been quite what I expected although I am not sure what exactly I was expecting. The months from that revelation to today have found me not stepping through a door but growing into something I never thought possible. The best description I can muster is a child trying on his daddy's suit. It's much to large for him and if he tries to take off on his own before he has had time to "grow into it" he will surely trip and stumble over those long pant legs. Only with sufficient time and growth will he ever be able to put that suit on and try to resemble his father with some success. As I look back on my life I truly mourn the time I have lost by not living my life in the center of his will but I rest in the peace of my fathers love and encouragement. I pray that God will continually use me to lead others to the Peace and Joy that only comes from an Intimate True Love relationship with our FATHER.
Peace.....
Steve Goatley
Joshua 9:14 ...they did not consult with God. Oh how many times I have fallen in this same way. I am 40 years old now and oh so in love with God. He so richly blessed me with the most humbling honor. He has called me to ministry. It has been almost a year since I first realized this call. It really has not been quite what I expected although I am not sure what exactly I was expecting. The months from that revelation to today have found me not stepping through a door but growing into something I never thought possible. The best description I can muster is a child trying on his daddy's suit. It's much to large for him and if he tries to take off on his own before he has had time to "grow into it" he will surely trip and stumble over those long pant legs. Only with sufficient time and growth will he ever be able to put that suit on and try to resemble his father with some success. As I look back on my life I truly mourn the time I have lost by not living my life in the center of his will but I rest in the peace of my fathers love and encouragement. I pray that God will continually use me to lead others to the Peace and Joy that only comes from an Intimate True Love relationship with our FATHER.
Peace.....
Steve Goatley
Wednesday, May 28, 2008
Do I really have to do this Lord?
Today during my devotion I read an analogy about trusting God. The author compared our need to trust God in life to walking through a minefield. If someone knew where all the mines were hidden and was willing to guide us step by step through the mine field we would follow their every command without question. Step here to live, don't step there or you will die. God only wants the best for us so why don't we trust him to avoid the mines in the field of life?
I think the author poses a good question but I have another. Why doesn't God just help us to avoid the minefields altogether? Wouldn't that be safer?...........Wouldn't that be easier?..........
It might be safer and easier but would we learn to lean on God that way? Would we really grow closer to the one who created us without the need to trust him in that way? What kind of people would we become without trials of life to help us experience the full care and wisdom and love of God? Perhaps we would become spoiled, ungrateful, spiritually undeveloped children. Children who would never get to know just how much God loves us because we would never get to experience his enduring love during the hard times.
God is much more than a fair weather friend. He is a friend for all times, a father for all seasons, the redeemer of all people, a savior.
I think the author poses a good question but I have another. Why doesn't God just help us to avoid the minefields altogether? Wouldn't that be safer?...........Wouldn't that be easier?..........
It might be safer and easier but would we learn to lean on God that way? Would we really grow closer to the one who created us without the need to trust him in that way? What kind of people would we become without trials of life to help us experience the full care and wisdom and love of God? Perhaps we would become spoiled, ungrateful, spiritually undeveloped children. Children who would never get to know just how much God loves us because we would never get to experience his enduring love during the hard times.
God is much more than a fair weather friend. He is a friend for all times, a father for all seasons, the redeemer of all people, a savior.
Monday, May 12, 2008
Sticks & Stones may break my bones but staffs that turn to snakes scare me!!
During my daily devotion time this evening Iwas reading Exodus chapter 2-4. Now, I have read this scripture before but the Spirit shed some new light on it for me tonight that I though Iwould share. Many of us would like to have a burning bush moment like Moses did. I know there have been times when I prayed, "God can you please just spell it out for me, you know like burn a bush, write it on a wall, smack me over the head with it or something. ;D Sound familiar? I hope so...I hope I am not the only one who has struggled with hearing the father on this journey. Well as I read along this evening one particular set of verses caught my attention.
1 Moses answered, "What if they do not believe me or listen to me and say, 'The LORD did not appear to you'?"
2 Then the LORD said to him, "What is that in your hand?" "A staff," he replied.
3 The LORD said, "Throw it on the ground." Moses threw it on the ground and it became a snake, and he ran from it. 4 Then the LORD said to him, "Reach out your hand and take it by the tail." So Moses reached out and took hold of the snake and it turned back into a staff in his hand.
Exodus 4:1-4 (New International Version)
Now for a long while I believed that God really did this so that the Isrealites would believe what Moses had to say and that he really was speaking for God.
Tonight however the Spirit revealed a different view to me....God didn't do this for the Isrealites, he did this for Moses. God would not have sent Moses to the Isrealites without first making the way possible. All Moses really needed to do was to respond to God by doing as the father asked but Moses was scared. God gave Moses this super staff not really to impress anyone else but to empower Moses to do what he needed to do. Much like giving a child a "special magic blanket" to make them invisible to the "Boogie Man" so they can sleep alone at night without being afraid of the dark.
This brings to mind many times I have felt like God was asking me to do something only to keep asking over and over, "God is this really what you want me to do or am I just imagining this?".
My prayer tonight is that I will never need God to give me a "special magic blanket" and that as you read this post you won't need one either.
Let us all follow the leading of the Spirit without question and without fail. The God who created us and loves us would never ask his children to do something that he doesn't allready know we can if we only trust in him.
1 Moses answered, "What if they do not believe me or listen to me and say, 'The LORD did not appear to you'?"
2 Then the LORD said to him, "What is that in your hand?" "A staff," he replied.
3 The LORD said, "Throw it on the ground." Moses threw it on the ground and it became a snake, and he ran from it. 4 Then the LORD said to him, "Reach out your hand and take it by the tail." So Moses reached out and took hold of the snake and it turned back into a staff in his hand.
Exodus 4:1-4 (New International Version)
Now for a long while I believed that God really did this so that the Isrealites would believe what Moses had to say and that he really was speaking for God.
Tonight however the Spirit revealed a different view to me....God didn't do this for the Isrealites, he did this for Moses. God would not have sent Moses to the Isrealites without first making the way possible. All Moses really needed to do was to respond to God by doing as the father asked but Moses was scared. God gave Moses this super staff not really to impress anyone else but to empower Moses to do what he needed to do. Much like giving a child a "special magic blanket" to make them invisible to the "Boogie Man" so they can sleep alone at night without being afraid of the dark.
This brings to mind many times I have felt like God was asking me to do something only to keep asking over and over, "God is this really what you want me to do or am I just imagining this?".
My prayer tonight is that I will never need God to give me a "special magic blanket" and that as you read this post you won't need one either.
Let us all follow the leading of the Spirit without question and without fail. The God who created us and loves us would never ask his children to do something that he doesn't allready know we can if we only trust in him.
Thursday, May 8, 2008
Answered Prayer
This week has truly been a life lesson in faith. Most of you know that I am a part time youth pastor and work full time in my cabinet shop. I would love it if God made it possible for me to serve him in ministry full time but, in his wisdom, he hasn't made that happen as of yet.
All that being said, God has kept me so busy lately with the things he has led me to do that I found myself becoming uncomfortable with the idea that I haven't been spending as much time working at my business to make a living for my family as I need to.
Now we all know that we are supposed to respond to Gods call in faith and not worry about the details. We are supposed to trust that while we are trying to stay in the center of Gods will that he knows what we need and will take care of us.
My prayer last night was; "Father please reveal yourself to me, reveal to me where you are at work around me and what I need to do to join you. Lord as I struggle to make changes in my life to serve you, help me to have faith and believe that you will take care of me and my families needs. Amen.
Well this morning I awoke feeling that things were taken care of and all would be well. The phone at work has been ringing like crazy today. We so many prospects for work come in today for no good reason that it was easy to see this was truly God answering prayer and keeping his promises.
Thank you father for teaching, hearing, answering and being ever faithful to your children.
All that being said, God has kept me so busy lately with the things he has led me to do that I found myself becoming uncomfortable with the idea that I haven't been spending as much time working at my business to make a living for my family as I need to.
Now we all know that we are supposed to respond to Gods call in faith and not worry about the details. We are supposed to trust that while we are trying to stay in the center of Gods will that he knows what we need and will take care of us.
My prayer last night was; "Father please reveal yourself to me, reveal to me where you are at work around me and what I need to do to join you. Lord as I struggle to make changes in my life to serve you, help me to have faith and believe that you will take care of me and my families needs. Amen.
Well this morning I awoke feeling that things were taken care of and all would be well. The phone at work has been ringing like crazy today. We so many prospects for work come in today for no good reason that it was easy to see this was truly God answering prayer and keeping his promises.
Thank you father for teaching, hearing, answering and being ever faithful to your children.
Wednesday, May 7, 2008
Meeting at the Crossroads - May 7, 2008
Wow, what a great day with God today has been.
I can't share to much info, but its safe for me to tell you that I got to see God guide a secular educational company to want to partner with our church to help young people in ways I would never have thought possible!!! Praise God!!
Tonight, the Meeting at the Crossroads was yet another amazing chance to see God at work.
I have to be honest, I have never seen a group of young people so interested in sharing a devotion. The bright, well articulated insights given by the students were so refreshing.
The Holy Spirit was truly there with us tonight teaching and revealing truths in ways we had never considered. One question that I found particularly interesting was " When we finish a task and feel frustrated that lasting spiritual fruit is not visible, could the reason be we are attempting very little that only God can do?".
Just how much of what we decide to do is something that could only really work out if God made it. Its so much easier to attempt things we feel comfortable we can accomplish in our strength and power using our talents.
What is God calling you to do today that you feel completely unqualified to pull off?
I can't share to much info, but its safe for me to tell you that I got to see God guide a secular educational company to want to partner with our church to help young people in ways I would never have thought possible!!! Praise God!!
Tonight, the Meeting at the Crossroads was yet another amazing chance to see God at work.
I have to be honest, I have never seen a group of young people so interested in sharing a devotion. The bright, well articulated insights given by the students were so refreshing.
The Holy Spirit was truly there with us tonight teaching and revealing truths in ways we had never considered. One question that I found particularly interesting was " When we finish a task and feel frustrated that lasting spiritual fruit is not visible, could the reason be we are attempting very little that only God can do?".
Just how much of what we decide to do is something that could only really work out if God made it. Its so much easier to attempt things we feel comfortable we can accomplish in our strength and power using our talents.
What is God calling you to do today that you feel completely unqualified to pull off?
Monday, May 5, 2008
First Post
Hi all!
This is my first blog. I have alot to learn about this thing but look forward to having a platform to share the love of Jesus Christ even when i am sleeping!!
This is my first blog. I have alot to learn about this thing but look forward to having a platform to share the love of Jesus Christ even when i am sleeping!!
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