As the world continues to change and alter at such an increasing pace, life seems fragile and unpredictable for so many people. Old traditions either change or are discarded altogether. New forms of communication continue to affect everyone. Along with the advances in electronic communication, travel and relocation are rising and the world grows smaller and smaller by the day.
With all the uncertainty and change, the witness of the church has remained faithful through the ages and still offers to people and to nations the life-changing message of Jesus Christ. I was recently reminded of the impact that our church's witness can make on young children's lives, which are the most vulnerable in this age of transition. Our church launched the "Townewest Project" in which we support Townewest Elementary School, which has over 50% of its students living under poverty conditions, with the goal to help it become the strongest, best school in the school district. To that end, work-days have been held to beautify the grounds of the school, we have collected and distributed school supplies for hundreds of students before each school year, the Giving Tree outreach program at Christmas has provided gifts and food to dozens of families and we hold teacher training and appreciation events on our campus, just to mention a few of the ministries that support the school.
For our efforts, we were awarded a TAPE award (Texas Association of Partners in Education) recently in Austin, and, as proud as the congregation is for this recognition, our service, however, has been done in the hope that our witness can make a difference in a student's life. We serve and care to share the love of God with others, especially the young and those in need.
There is an episode on the seashore in Galilee described in the Gospel of John when Peter was given a second chance to demonstrate his love for Jesus. You might recall this familiar exchange in which Jesus asked Peter three times if Peter loved him. Three times, Peter had to answer that he, indeed, did love Jesus. After each inquiry and response, Peter was instructed by Jesus to feed and tend his sheep, that is, to love and care for Jesus' flock. In other words, our witness of love and care is to be a living witness, one that is discernible and visible in the world. Our witness, made in word and deed, should feed people both spiritually with the word of God and physically with provision for their needs. That, like Peter, is how we show our love of Jesus.
With all the uncertainty and change, the witness of the church has remained faithful through the ages and still offers to people and to nations the life-changing message of Jesus Christ. I was recently reminded of the impact that our church's witness can make on young children's lives, which are the most vulnerable in this age of transition. Our church launched the "Townewest Project" in which we support Townewest Elementary School, which has over 50% of its students living under poverty conditions, with the goal to help it become the strongest, best school in the school district. To that end, work-days have been held to beautify the grounds of the school, we have collected and distributed school supplies for hundreds of students before each school year, the Giving Tree outreach program at Christmas has provided gifts and food to dozens of families and we hold teacher training and appreciation events on our campus, just to mention a few of the ministries that support the school.
For our efforts, we were awarded a TAPE award (Texas Association of Partners in Education) recently in Austin, and, as proud as the congregation is for this recognition, our service, however, has been done in the hope that our witness can make a difference in a student's life. We serve and care to share the love of God with others, especially the young and those in need.
There is an episode on the seashore in Galilee described in the Gospel of John when Peter was given a second chance to demonstrate his love for Jesus. You might recall this familiar exchange in which Jesus asked Peter three times if Peter loved him. Three times, Peter had to answer that he, indeed, did love Jesus. After each inquiry and response, Peter was instructed by Jesus to feed and tend his sheep, that is, to love and care for Jesus' flock. In other words, our witness of love and care is to be a living witness, one that is discernible and visible in the world. Our witness, made in word and deed, should feed people both spiritually with the word of God and physically with provision for their needs. That, like Peter, is how we show our love of Jesus.
Have you ever noticed the "fine lines" in our lives? Sometimes, it is only a fine line between speeding in an automobile and observing the legal limit. The same is true at a four-way stop sign. It is only a fine line between a complete stop or rolling through the intersection. At school, a fine line of a single point on a test or exam can be the difference between an A or a B; a passing grade or a failing grade. In music, a fine line separates a note or chord that is harmonious and pleasing to the ear or one that is discordant and out of tune.
The horrendous, unspeakable tragedy that occured this week on the campus of Virginia Tech sadly demonstrates another fine line that was crossed. In life, we all have experienced disillusionments and disappointments. Life is never fair. Each and every person has been wounded by others' words, actions and attitudes. We all carry scars from past injuries, not just physical, but emotional, relational, psychological and spiritual.
Yet, there is a fine line between disappointment and anger; between hurt and hate; between bitterness and blame. Cho crossed that line with cruel and inhumane violence that is totally incomprehensible and beyond explanation or justification. I grieve for the families and friends of the victims of this sensless, brutal act and encourage you to join with me in prayer for them.
As I pray and as I grieve, I am reminded of the One who will help anyone not cross a line or boundary that will lead to disaster or pain. It is our Lord that will turn our hurts to hope whenever we trust and follow him. It is God who will sustain us in our confusion and disappointments by calming the storms in our soul. May God touch the hearts of those who have lost loved ones and may God touch and heal all our hearts so we live with dignity and respect of others, with love and grace, with forgiveness and mercy.
The horrendous, unspeakable tragedy that occured this week on the campus of Virginia Tech sadly demonstrates another fine line that was crossed. In life, we all have experienced disillusionments and disappointments. Life is never fair. Each and every person has been wounded by others' words, actions and attitudes. We all carry scars from past injuries, not just physical, but emotional, relational, psychological and spiritual.
Yet, there is a fine line between disappointment and anger; between hurt and hate; between bitterness and blame. Cho crossed that line with cruel and inhumane violence that is totally incomprehensible and beyond explanation or justification. I grieve for the families and friends of the victims of this sensless, brutal act and encourage you to join with me in prayer for them.
As I pray and as I grieve, I am reminded of the One who will help anyone not cross a line or boundary that will lead to disaster or pain. It is our Lord that will turn our hurts to hope whenever we trust and follow him. It is God who will sustain us in our confusion and disappointments by calming the storms in our soul. May God touch the hearts of those who have lost loved ones and may God touch and heal all our hearts so we live with dignity and respect of others, with love and grace, with forgiveness and mercy.
The world is filled with religions. Across the globe in many regions and places, people are led to seek God through religious rites, ceremonies and practices in the hope of appeasing and pleasing God. Easter, however, is the glorious moment when God proved his love for all the world by emerging from the tomb. It is the day of resurrection in which God offers to everyone the chance to experience life with him through faith. The empty tomb is the promise that each person can have a relationship with the living Lord of life who conquered death and forgave our sins. The faith of Easter is a relationship with God, not a religion.
Over the decades, the empty tomb has been attacked by critics and skeptics. Many theories have been expressed, such as those seen in recent books like The DaVinci Code and others, that either Jesus never died or that the body of Jesus was secretly removed. These attacks have argued that the resurrection never happened, the tomb was not empty and that the claims of Christians are nothing more than a hoax on the world.
Yet the promise of a relationship with God through the forgiveness offered to us in Jesus Christ proves that the tomb was empty. Jesus walked the hill of Calvary and willingly was nailed to the cross for the sins of the world in order that our lives and the world might be redeemed. He breathed his last breath on the day we surprisingly call Good Friday knowing that on Easter morning he would rise from the day and leave the empty tomb to offer us life as it is meant to be lived.
Worship with us this Easter as we celebrate the relationship that we have with the living God. Our services are at 9:00, 10:10 and 11:15. Happy Easter! He is risen!
Over the decades, the empty tomb has been attacked by critics and skeptics. Many theories have been expressed, such as those seen in recent books like The DaVinci Code and others, that either Jesus never died or that the body of Jesus was secretly removed. These attacks have argued that the resurrection never happened, the tomb was not empty and that the claims of Christians are nothing more than a hoax on the world.
Yet the promise of a relationship with God through the forgiveness offered to us in Jesus Christ proves that the tomb was empty. Jesus walked the hill of Calvary and willingly was nailed to the cross for the sins of the world in order that our lives and the world might be redeemed. He breathed his last breath on the day we surprisingly call Good Friday knowing that on Easter morning he would rise from the day and leave the empty tomb to offer us life as it is meant to be lived.
Worship with us this Easter as we celebrate the relationship that we have with the living God. Our services are at 9:00, 10:10 and 11:15. Happy Easter! He is risen!
Having returned from the two weeks in China, my body is exhausted but my mind and spirit are churning. The country is vast and huge beyond description; the pollution is so thick that at times it was hard to see across a street; the people are friendly and helpful and the cities are filled with millions of inhabitants.
As we traveled to the sites which are visited by tourists, I appreciated the richness of the culture and heritage of the land. The food was interesting, even though at times I was unsure what I was eating but actually enjoying most of the dishes. When we journeyed by train for 18 hours, the countryside was beautiful and cultivated.
However, what moved me the most and has stirred within me a hope and a desire was sensing the hand of God at work in China. The people of China have been led by the government to discount the reality and presence of God but faith and belief in Jesus Christ are growing at an inspiring rate. Men and women are dedicating their lives to sharing the gospel with unbelievers, even if it places their lives and security in peril. Over and over, the testimonies and witness to God's redemptive work were relayed to me and I saw the lives changed by the power of Christ.
As I left China, I was tired beyond description but I was challenged as well. God placed in my heart a desire and passion to see the gospel thrive in China and continue to transform millions of lives. Also, and maybe more importantly, I felt God showing me how much more faithful and obedient the church in our country can be. What would our community and neighborhoods look like if we lived our faith as sacrificially and dedicated as those I saw in China?
As we traveled to the sites which are visited by tourists, I appreciated the richness of the culture and heritage of the land. The food was interesting, even though at times I was unsure what I was eating but actually enjoying most of the dishes. When we journeyed by train for 18 hours, the countryside was beautiful and cultivated.
However, what moved me the most and has stirred within me a hope and a desire was sensing the hand of God at work in China. The people of China have been led by the government to discount the reality and presence of God but faith and belief in Jesus Christ are growing at an inspiring rate. Men and women are dedicating their lives to sharing the gospel with unbelievers, even if it places their lives and security in peril. Over and over, the testimonies and witness to God's redemptive work were relayed to me and I saw the lives changed by the power of Christ.
As I left China, I was tired beyond description but I was challenged as well. God placed in my heart a desire and passion to see the gospel thrive in China and continue to transform millions of lives. Also, and maybe more importantly, I felt God showing me how much more faithful and obedient the church in our country can be. What would our community and neighborhoods look like if we lived our faith as sacrificially and dedicated as those I saw in China?
