I think we can learn a lot from dogs.  Especially when it comes to how to treat others.  Dogs are ridiculously loyal.  They get so excited to see you or to see other dogs.  When they go into “new” situations they immediately go low and humble themselves in submission.  As humans we often exhibit the opposite of these behaviors.  Instead of unwavering loyalty we look out for ourselves.  Instead of humbling ourselves we boast and seek to impress others.  We certainly don’t show as much excitement to greet others.  Paul’s instructions in Romans 12 suggest that we could learn a lot from dogs.  Let’s look at it together today.  

Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. 10 Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. 11 Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. 12 Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. 13 Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality. 14 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. 15 Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. 16 Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position.  Do not be conceited. 17 Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. 18 If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. 19 Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord. 

I don’t know about you but I think that often dogs do a better job with this list than we do.  Why is that?  Perhaps we are caught in the trap of looking out for our own interests and needs instead of the needs of others.  Maybe it’s because we have been treated poorly and are trying to “protect” ourselves.  Whatever the reason we need to strive to live a dogs life a little bit better.  Yesterday I was trying to relax and one of my dogs, Willow, wanted attention.  She kept nuzzling up next to me and wagging her tail and wanting to simply be next to me.  I gave her a few pets and told her to go away.  She was unfazed and kept coming back.  Eventually she won the “power struggle” and was content to just lay her head next to me while I watched tv.  I got to thinking about this topic and how often times we treat others like I did Willow.  We give them the minimum and tell them to go away with our words or body language.  Today look for someone you can love well simply by your presence.  Sometime sitting next to someone else is all that they need.

In His Grip,

Pastor Dave

Have you ever been facing a difficult situation but you were not afraid because of who was with you? I remember when I was a younger kid going away to sleep away camp.  I thought the coolest guy at the whole camp was the lifeguard named Bo.  He was always surrounded by girls, was the football star at his high school and he played the guitar and led our music time.  I found out that we could become junior lifeguards and i was all in the only problem is to qualify you had to swim all the way across the dark scary lake.  I was very nervous until I found out that Bo was going to swim right next to me and keep away the snakes, alligators and lake monsters that were for sure waiting under that dark scary water.  With Bo next to me I was no longer afraid.  Life can be scary and daunting at times as well but let’s look at this promise from the book of Isaiah about who is “swimming” by our side.

“But you, Israel, my servant,
    Jacob, whom I have chosen,
    you descendants of Abraham my friend,

I took you from the ends of the earth,
    from its farthest corners I called you.
I said, ‘You are my servant’;
    I have chosen you and have not rejected you.

So do not fear, for I am with you;
    do not be dismayed, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you and help you;
    I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

“All who rage against you
    will surely be ashamed and disgraced;
those who oppose you
    will be as nothing and perish.

Though you search for your enemies,
    you will not find them.
Those who wage war against you
    will be as nothing at all. 

For I am the Lord your God
    who takes hold of your right hand
and says to you, Do not fear;
    I will help you.

Do not be afraid, you worm Jacob,
    little Israel, do not fear,
for I myself will help you,” declares the Lord,
    your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel.

Have you gotten to the age (which I am at now) where you just wake up sometimes with aches and pains and feeling tired before your day has begun?  Some days it is just hard to get started.  Usually a little exercise in the morning will put some pep in your step but sometimes the weary feeling remains.  Jesus talks about what to do when we feel weary in Matthew 11.  Let’s look at His words together today. 

At that time Jesus said, “I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children. 26 Yes, Father, for this is what you were pleased to do. 27 “All things have been committed to me by my Father. No one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal him. 28 “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”

I don’t believe that Jesus is speaking so much about physical weariness as He is emotional and spiritual and even mental weariness.  We all feel weary and burdened sometimes.  Too often I know that I have a tendency to just try and push or fight through it.  It is so important that we take the time to stop and rest in the arms of Jesus.  He is there for us and makes our burdens light.  He walks with us and often carries us through the challenges we face.  I know in my experience, spending time with Jesus also resets my mind and gives me a better perspective.  The challenges in front of me don’t seem quite as big or daunting.  So today and everyday if you feel weary take some time and rest with Jesus.  You just may find that things improve from there.  I know they will!

In His Grip,
Pastor Dave

This morning I walked on the beach.  The ocean was as still as a lake and the walk was incredibly peaceful.  That was a contrast to last night as I walked my dogs.  A storm rolled in when we were a ways from home the rain and thunder picked up quickly and a nice walk turned to a jog and then quickly to a run.  My oldest dog, Stella is terrified of thunder.  She usually likes to stroll leisurely on the evening walk but not when a storm rolls in.  She quickly switches to greyhound mode and pulls to get home.  One time it started raining and storming so badly that we looked for cover instead of trying to make it home.  Stella couldn’t go to her normal “hiding spot” that she has in the house so she got as close to me as she could.  She would have loved for me to pick her up and hold her but she is about 90 lbs so she settled for hiding between my legs.  She was still afraid but she felt a little bit better knowing I was with her.  The storms of life can be frightening and we all look for security when they arrive.  Let’s look at how the disciples responded when a storm came their way in Mark 4.

That day when evening came, he said to his disciples, “Let us go over to the other side.” 36 Leaving the crowd behind, they took him along, just as he was, in the boat. There were also other boats with him. 37 A furious squall came up, and the waves broke over the boat, so that it was nearly swamped. 38 Jesus was in the stern, sleeping on a cushion. The disciples woke him and said to him, “Teacher, don’t you care if we drown?” 39 He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Quiet! Be still!” Then the wind died down and it was completely calm. 40 He said to his disciples, “Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?”41 They were terrified and asked each other, “Who is this? Even the wind and the waves obey him!”

The disciples knew that Jesus was the person to turn to when the storms of life hit.  They just didn’t have the faith that he would keep them safe through the storms.  One guarantee we can all count on is that we will face storms in life.  Jesus may not immediately calm the storm like he did for the disciples (and I failed miserably to do so for Stella), but He will be there with us every step of the way.  The next time you face one of life’s storms, thank Jesus for weathering the storm with you.  I think you will find comfort knowing that the One who can calm the storm is there right beside you.

In His Grip,
Pastor Dave

Have you experienced the loss of a close friend or loved one?  I suspect we all have experienced grief at some point in our lives.  There is also a time of reflecting on the life of our loved one.  My friend, Ron Tobias, passed away late Wednesday night.  I have been reflecting on his well lived life for the last day.  He was a good friend and mentor for me and for so many.  My Facebook feed is littered with testimonials about him.  I have been thinking about the words found in 2Timothy 4.  Let’s look at them together today. 

For I am already being poured out like a drink offering, and the time for my departure is near. 7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. 8 Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.

These verses were certainly true in the life of my friend, Ron.  My prayer is that they will be true for all of us as well.  That we would fight the good fight.  I pray that we would all work and even fight to use our gifts to share the love of Christ.  I pray that we might all finish the race.  Whether we are toward the end of our earthly race or just getting started we need to be sure to finish well.  The author of Hebrews reminds us to throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles and run with perseverance the race marked out for us.  The way we do that is to fix our eyes on Jesus. Ron did that well and I pray that we would also.  I also pray that we would keep the faith.  Life has a way of beating and battering our faith at times but we are called to hold fast to our faith despite the storms of life.  I know that for all of us a crown of righteousness awaits us as heirs and children of the king.  While I miss my friend, I smile knowing that Ron has that crown on right now and he sits with his friend, his king Jesus.

In His Grip,
Pastor Dave

Last night at our Student ministry camp the speaker spoke on one of my favorite parables, the story of the prodigal son.  The speaker reminded us all that we are all the son in the story and God is the Father.  Let’s take a look at the story in Jesus’ own words found in Luke 15.

Jesus continued: “There was a man who had two sons. 12 The younger one said to his father, ‘Father, give me my share of the estate.’ So he divided his property between them. 13 “Not long after that, the younger son got together all he had, set off for a distant country and there squandered his wealth in wild living. 14 After he had spent everything, there was a severe famine in that whole country, and he began to be in need. 15 So he went and hired himself out to a citizen of that country, who sent him to his fields to feed pigs. 16 He longed to fill his stomach with the pods that the pigs were eating, but no one gave him anything. 17 “When he came to his senses, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have food to spare, and here I am starving to death! 18 I will set out and go back to my father and say to him: Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. 19 I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me like one of your hired servants.’ 20 So he got up and went to his father. “But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him. 21 “The son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ 22 “But the father said to his servants, ‘Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. 23 Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let’s have a feast and celebrate. 24 For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ So they began to celebrate.

There is so much that I find amazing in this story.  No matter how poorly the son treated the Father, the Father was waiting and ready to receive the son back and embrace him.  The son wasn’t treated like less than because of his rebellion.  Instead the son was celebrated for his return.  The Father actually ran to the son before he even had a chance to apologize and embraced him.  The Father restores the son and has everyone join in celebrating his return.  This is truly a picture of how God treats us.  Despite our rebellion and choosing our way instead of God’s way again and again God embraces us with His love and grace.  Today take some time reflecting on our own rebellion and God’s incredible grace.  Perhaps our response will be to live a life of pointing others to Jesus, the source of all love and grace.

In His Grip,
Pastor Dave

As I spend this week in Georgia with our youth I have been reflecting on the theme of the conference which centers around identity.  The students have been doing a great job on teaching from various texts which remind us that our identity is not in what we accomplish or don’t.  It’s not found in our successes or failures.  We cannot be defined by our looks, brains, or any of that.  Our identity comes not from who the world may say that we are but from whose we are.  Our identity is found in Christ alone.  There is one particular scripture that they haven’t hit just yet that I wanted to address today.  Let’s look at I Peter 2 together today. 

 But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. 10 Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.

The words and phrases that Peter uses here all reflect the same truth.  We are special and set apart because God says that we are.  Chosen, royal, holy, and special are all adjectives that have significant impact.  Any one of those alone would make us feel that we are special to God, but Peter makes a point of using all of those in this quick two verse passage.  Perhaps it is because of how special Jesus made Peter feel during their time together but Peter really wants us all to know just how much we matter to God.  Today take some time and reflect on the fact that to God you are chosen, royal, holy, and special.  You may feel sometimes like you don’t measure up but to God you are perfect just as He created you! 

In His Grip,
Pastor Dave

This week I am with our youth at Rush.  It is a summer conference led by students for students.  I am always impressed with how students speak, lead small groups, lead the mission projects, and worship.  They also do all of the behind the scenes support roles as well.  Watching the kickoff last night I was reflecting on the following passage from I Timothy.  Let’s look at it together today.

Command and teach these things. 12 Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity. 13 Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to preaching and to teaching. 14 Do not neglect your gift, which was given you through prophecy when the body of elders laid their hands on you. 15 Be diligent in these matters; give yourself wholly to them, so that everyone may see your progress. 16 Watch your life and doctrine closely. Persevere in them, because if you do, you will save both yourself and your hearers.

This was written by Paul to encourage Timothy, a young man to be bold in his faith and leadership.  The reality is while this passage is appropriate for what is going on at the conference I am at, it also applies to all of us “older” folks as well.  We need to be bold in using our gifts, setting an example, and persevering in our faith.  Please pray for the 42 young folks at this conference this week (well 41 plus an old guy that looks a lot like me) I pray that our students’ young faith would be an encouragement to you.  I know it certainly is to me.

In His Grip,
Pastor Dave

Have you ever felt betrayed?  It truly hurts.  It hurts more the closer the person is to you and the longer you have known them. I wonder what it must have been like for Jesus knowing ahead of time that Judas would betray Him. What was it like to wash his feet and share a meal with him at the last supper?  Let’s look at John’s account of the betrayal found in John 18.

 When he had finished praying, Jesus left with his disciples and crossed the Kidron Valley. On the other side there was a garden, and he and his disciples went into it. 2 Now Judas, who betrayed him, knew the place, because Jesus had often met there with his disciples. 3 So Judas came to the garden, guiding a detachment of soldiers and some officials from the chief priests and the Pharisees. They were carrying torches, lanterns and weapons. 4 Jesus, knowing all that was going to happen to him, went out and asked them, “Who is it you want?” 5 “Jesus of Nazareth,” they replied. “I am he,” Jesus said. (And Judas the traitor was standing there with them.) 6 When Jesus said, “I am he,” they drew back and fell to the ground. 7 Again he asked them, “Who is it you want?” “Jesus of Nazareth,” they said. 8 Jesus answered, “I told you that I am he. If you are looking for me, then let these men go.” 9 This happened so that the words he had spoken would be fulfilled: “I have not lost one of those you gave me.”10 Then Simon Peter, who had a sword, drew it and struck the high priest’s servant, cutting off his right ear. (The servant’s name was Malchus.) 11 Jesus commanded Peter, “Put your sword away! Shall I not drink the cup the Father has given me?”

I wonder if it made it easier or harder that this was always a part of the plan?  When we experience the pain of betrayal it hurts because of our investment in the relationship with another person.  Have you ever thought that we do the same thing as Judas sometimes?  We also reject the way of Jesus at times for our own selfish desires.  New choose to do things our way instead of God’s.  We choose temporary pleasure instead of God’s best for our life.  Yet, in spite of that, God’s love and grace covers us.  We can never out sin the grace of God.  My prayer for all of us is that we would all grow in grace and live lives more and more that look like the life of Jesus!

In His Grip,
Pastor Dave

John 17 is a fascinating passage of Scripture.  It is often referred to as the High Priestly Prayer and is believed to be a portion of the prayer that Jesus prayed while in the Garden of Gethsemanee.  Let’s take a look at it together today.

“My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, 21 that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. 22 I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one— 23 I in them and you in me—so that they may be brought to complete unity. Then the world will know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me. 24 “Father, I want those you have given me to be with me where I am, and to see my glory, the glory you have given me because you loved me before the creation of the world. 25 “Righteous Father, though the world does not know you, I know you, and they know that you have sent me. 26 I have made you known to them, and will continue to make you known in order that the love you have for me may be in them and that I myself may be in them.”

Jesus prays for the disciples and then prays for all believers who will hear the message and believe, meaning us.  There are a lot of things that Jesus could have prayed for us.  It is interesting that the one thing He does pray for is unity.  That we would be unified with Him and also unified with one another.  Unity is a powerful force.  Teams that are unified are difficult to beat.  Companies that are unified are typically very successful.  Families that are unified are beautiful to observe.  The same is true about us as followers of Jesus.  When we are unified we can be a powerful, beautiful force that can accomplish great things for God and share the love of Jesus really well.  When we are not unified it can be a struggle and the world is less interested in what we have to say about Jesus and the life of faith.  I pray today that Jesus’ prayer all those years ago would be powerful in our lives.  That we might be one just as Jesus and the Father are one. 

In His Grip,
Pastor Dave