Shepastor: “Happy New Year – Time for a New Thing!”

Behold, I will do a new thing; now it shall spring forth; shall ye not know it? I will even make a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert.
Isaiah 43:19, KJV

The New Year is always a good time to re-evaluate our ways. While we are admonished to make a practice of turning the search light inward, there is something about the New Year that reminds us of the frailty of this life.
With each passing year we are reminded that life is precious. It is a vapor. It moves quickly. Choices are critical.

Therefore, let us do the following:

Resolve to let “it” go - What is your “it?” Anger? Resentment? Looking for an apology? Wanting to change someone? This “it” is diminishing your life purpose, peace and power. Remember that there are seasons of reaping and sowing, that no good thing will the Lord withhold from the upright, fret not thyself because of evil doers… Release it to the Lord. Ask Him to show you how…

Be open to the “new” sent from God – Old ways, old thoughts, old patterns, old ways of measuring things… Open up to the new things that that God wants to release in your life… New friendships, new opportunities…new ways of thinking…new patterns of behavior…

Value your place in the process… Realize that your journey is not all about you. Remember, you may be the “ground breaker, the planter or the waterer.” God alone gives the increase. Ask the Lord to help you to value your role in the process and not allow the opinion of others to cause you to undervalue, forsake or go “awol” on your assignment before the Lord says it is finished…

Choose Joy – Joy is not a perpetual smile on your face. Joy is not tied to circumstances (that’s “happiness,” tied to “what’s happening”). Joy is the assurance that The Lord is with us. The Lord won’t fail us. The Lord will sustain us. The Lord will make all things work together for our good. The Lord will provide. Therefore, “the joy of the Lord is our strength.” You must be intentional about keeping joy in your heart. Be intentional about seeking the Lord’s face daily. Go beyond pre-packaged devotionals and crack open the Bible for yourself! Meditate upon God’s Word. Pray for true friends that will listen, “hear” and pray with you. Don’t ignore your pain, process through it. Let the Lord be the lifter of your head.

Allow the Lord to do His “new thing” in your life in 2014!
Happy New Year!

Post a comment or send me an email at Shepastor1@hotmail.com

Until next Wednesday,
In Faith, Hope and Perseverance,
Pastor Chris

Shepastor: “My prayer for you during this Season and the Coming New Year…”

Dear Shepastor Friends,

Thank you for reading, sharing and responding to Shepastor. During this season when we remember, in a special way, God’s love for us all and the gift of His precious Son, Jesus, My prayer for you is the prayer of the Psalmist…

May the LORD answer you in the day of trouble;
May the name of the God of Jacob defend you;
2 May He send you help from the sanctuary,
And strengthen you out of Zion;
3 May He remember all your offerings,
And accept your burnt sacrifice. Selah

4 May He grant you according to your heart’s desire,
And fulfill all your purpose.
5 We will rejoice in your salvation,
And in the name of our God we will set up our banners!
May the LORD fulfill all your petitions.

6 Now I know that the LORD saves His anointed;
He will answer him from His holy heaven
With the saving strength of His right hand.
7 Some trust in chariots, and some in horses;
But we will remember the name of the LORD our God.

8 They have bowed down and fallen;
But we have risen and stand upright.
9 Save, LORD!
May the King answer us when we call.

Psalm 20, NKJV

From my family to yours,
Merry Christmas!

Until next Wednesday,
In Faith, Hope and Perseverance,
Pastor Chris

Shepastor: "Practical Support and Encouragement for One Another..."

"The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel" (which means "God with us"). Matthew 1:23, NIV

Studies show that the holiday season can be a very difficult time for many. While some families are hustling and bustling about, having meals together, sharing gifts, receiving guests, dressing up their homes, etc., others are grieving the loss of loved ones, broken relationships, or never having the mate, companion, lover, home, children etc., of their dreams. Tidings of “comfort and joy” have eluded some.

Reflecting upon the Nativity scene, something very practical may escape us as we bathe in the glory of the “new born King…” Mary and Joseph struggled to find a place for her to give birth to the baby. “No room in the Inn…,” only a dirty stable amidst some animals. Yet the Lord saw fit to send an angel to go and tell some folks to be with them. Yes they went to behold the baby Jesus. But could it also be that the Lord wanted to remind Mary and Joseph that they were not alone – that “God was with them?” He called some shepherds, even some kings, even some animals to be with them as they gave birth to the Son of God. Even at Jesus’ birth, the Lord was letting us know that we need encouragement and support.

People, having been told that there is no room for them are surrounded by stinking stables (so to speak). The elderly forgotten in nursing homes, the children in foster care, the prisoners returning to society, the poor who have received notice of yet another food stamp cut, the sick and shut in, retired pastors and even some “working” pastors…no room – go to the stable!

Suicide is on the rise. People are lonely, broken and suffering in silence. Instruction manuals, workshops, and panel discussions abound. But when they return home, the pain still exists – the pain of loneliness, rejection, depression, being overwhelmed etc. Can we do some practical things? Can we be like the shepherds and go and be with them in the birthing process? Can we push past the proverbial and sometimes literal stench of their “stables” and be with them? Can we visit, pick up the phone and call, send cards – dare to have an “in human” touch in this age of technology?

Consider a child’s description of true friends…

They keep our secrets
They tell us their secrets
They remember my birthday!
They always make sure I’m included in fun things
They know when I’m sad and ask me why
When I miss school because I’m sick, they ask their moms to call to check on me

Taken from Brene` Brown’s book, Daring Greatly (Gotham Books-Penguin Group, Inc., 2012, p. 49)
And a child shall lead them…May we “dare” to be shepherd-friends in practical ways. Lives are at stake.

Post a comment or send me an email at Shepastor1@hotmail.com

Until next Wednesday,
In faith, hope and perseverance,
Pastor Chris

Shepastor: "Lessons of Transformation from the Life of Nelson Mandela..."

Do not I hate them, O LORD, that hate thee? and am not I grieved with those that rise up against thee?
22I hate them with perfect hatred: I count them mine enemies.
23Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts:
24And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.

This week the world paused to remember, arguably, one of the greatest men who ever lived. Heads of States from around the world, including our own President Barak Obama, went to South Africa to pay tribute to the life and the legacy of Nelson Mandela. Today’s Shepastor will not attempt to recount every aspect of historical specifics or a timeline, but rather, a sweeping overview of some powerful changes that happened within the late President Mandela’s heart, mind and soul...something that challenges us to be transformed as well.

Born in an aristocratic family, blessed with a high level of education and becoming a lawyer in South Africa meant that this “Black South African” could have lived out his life apart from the most brutal and oppressive aspects of the Apartheid system. However, he was not content to see his fellow brothers and sisters remain in such conditions. Pain and anguish swept over his soul as he watched the horrors of hatred and deep seeded racism play out in severe economic oppression, mutilation and bloody murder in the streets. Rebellion, hatred and even revenge bubbled up in his spirit. Wrongful imprisonment for 27 years…labeled a terrorist…considered a menace to society…why? He dared to challenge evil. But in the midst of hate, in the midst of pain, in the midst of injustice – God spoke to Mandela’s heart. He chose love over hate, reconciliation over revenge, peace over war, negotiation over separation….Love is stronger than death.

Former President Bill Clinton shared that when he asked President Mandela how he felt all of those years in prison, didn’t he hate his oppressors, he reportedly responded,

“Yes, for about 11 years. But one day while breaking rocks I thought, ‘they’ve kept you in prison, they’ve destroyed your marriage, they’ve robbed you of seeing your children grow up. They’ve taken all of these things but you have to give them your heart and mind. That day, I said I will not give them my heart and mind by continuing to hate them. I choose to be free…’”

Like Jesus, like Paul, like Martin, Mandela chose something radical – more radical than rebellion, more radical than revenge, more radical than so called terrorism. Mandela chose love…not to behave as if nothing happened, but “strategic love.” He worked with leaders from around the world to build a peaceful coalition that used economic sanctions against the apartheid regime. He worked with Bishop Desmond Tutu to hold the “Truth and Reconciliation” hearings that helped bring closure to the families that lost loved ones to the brutality of the Praetorian Police. He calmed the fears of White South Africans that under his leadership they would experience what they’d done to the rest of the country.

Certainly, Mandela could relate to David’s transformational prayer...

Do not I hate them, O LORD, that hate thee? and am not I grieved with those that rise up against thee?
22I hate them with perfect hatred: I count them mine enemies.
23Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts:
24And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.

Something deep down inside of Mandela caused him to realize that he wanted to be better than the oppressor. He did not want to become that which he claimed to despise. He cried, “search me… know me…lead me…” May we too find the strength to overcome evil with good by praying “Search me oh God…”

Post a comment or send me an email at Shepastor1@hotmail.com

Until next Wednesday,
In Faith, Hope and Perseverance,
Pastor Chris

Shepastor: "Daring Greatly..."

“I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the fatih…” II Timothy 4:7, KJV

Today I’d just like to share a powerful, searching and compelling quote extracted from Brene` Brown’s book, Daring Greatly. This quote is not original with her, but she uses it to assert some powerful insights into what it means to live “wholeheartedly.” She quotes Theodore Roosevelt’s speech, “Citizenship in a Republic,” given in Paris, France, April 23, 1910…

It is not the critic who counts, not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better.

The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again,

Because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deed, who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause;

Who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly…”

May we, by faith, “dare greatly” in our work for the Kingdom!

Post a comment or send me an email at Shepastor1@hotmail.com

Until Next Wednesday,
In Faith, Hope and Perseverance,
Pastor Chris

Shepastor: "Revisiting the Essence of True Praise and Worship During this Thanksgiving Season"

"God is a spirit and they that worship Him must worship Him in spirit and in truth.” John 4: 24

“God is great, God is good, let us thank Him for our food… Good bread, good meat, good God lets eat!” These are the prayers of childhood and hurried schedules! As we prepare to dive into Thanksgiving meals, some may not even take time to say, “Thank you Lord!” This holiday, however, provides for us an opportunity to revisit the “thankfulness gage” of our hearts.

When we with grateful hearts truly worship and praise God we develop intimacy with Him. We see Him not just for what He can do, but for who He is – the awesome powerful God who in spite of His greatness and majesty looked upon us with love and mercy, sent His only begotten son into the world to die for us, to cleanse us from all unrighteousness, to forgive us of our sins and to make us joint heirs with Jesus– we have become God’s children.

Writer Jerry Bridges in an article entitled, “Beyond Sunday: Making Worship a Way of Life” in Discipleship Journal (March/April 2001) suggests that we ask ourselves the following questions concerning our worship:

1. Have I presented myself and all I have to God as a living sacrifice, so that my way of life is a life of worship?
2. Do I take time daily to worship God privately and to thank Him for all His blessings to me?
3. Is there some cherished sin, some practice I’m unwilling to give up, that hinders my worship?
4. Do I seek to enter wholeheartedly, “in spirit and in truth” into worship or do I simply go through the motions without really worshiping?

Bridges further states,

“None of us will score perfectly on these questions. That is not their intent. Rather they’re designed to help us honestly assess ourselves and pinpoint areas of our lives that need improvement. Only then, and as we take steps to improve, will they benefit us.”

When we worship God, we give glory and honor to His name. When we worship God, we broaden our perspective of life and our life’s purpose. When we worship God, we open our hearts to sing His praises. We join with the song writer who declared,

Oh Lord, our God, when I in awesome wonder consider all the works thy hand hath made… I see the stars, I hear the rolling thunder, thy power throughout the universe displayed. Then sings my soul, my savior God to thee. How great thou art, how great thou art. Then sings my soul, my savior God to thee. How great thou art, how great thou art!

May we truly worship and praise God with hearts of gratitude, not only during the Thanksgiving Season, but every day.
May you and yours have a grateful, peaceful and joy-filled Thanksgiving Holiday!

Until next Wednesday,
In faith, hope and perseverance,
Pastor Chris

Shepastor: “True Gratefulness is Something that Emerges, Not Something Imposed…”

“Oh give thanks unto the Lord, for He s good; for His mercy endureth forever…” Psalm 136:1, KJV

I grew up hearing the story of a young mother of three who was raised in an affluent home in another country. A series of unfortunate circumstances caused the mother’s family to lose their wealth. Her husband, from the same country, grew up in a decent but poor household. Together, they decided to come to America and make a life for themselves. They had little or nothing. It was a struggle, but by faith they persevered and “made it.” A portion of the struggle included the husband receiving a partial scholarship to attend college in one part of the country, and the wife living with relatives in another part of the country, working to raise money to assist him with school and support their family.

The wife and mother humbled herself and accepted “day work” in order to make ends meet. She rose up early in the morning, walked to work – scrubbing floors, doing laundry, babysitting for wealthy women. On one occasion, after working extremely hard, back hurting, feet tired, bones weary, her employer, at the end of a full week, handed her a limp $5.00 bill and said, “Now what is a ‘girl’ like you gonna do with ‘all’ that money? Aren’t you grateful?” The ‘girl’ responded, “It is not the size of the gift, but the heart and mind with which it is given.” Puzzled, the wealthy employer looked at the woman and asked, “Where did you learn such a thing?” The day worker just smiled and walked away.

To tell someone that they should be “grateful” in the face of injustice and oppression is a travesty. To engage in discriminatory practices that keep individuals down and perpetuate poverty, pain and disgrace is sin.
The concept of gratefulness should never be used to impose guilt upon those who dare question oppressive and discriminatory practices. It is a twisted theology that somehow suggests that an individual should be grateful in the midst of abuse, inequality, and “door-mat-ism.”

True Gratefulness emerges from the hearts of those who recognize some measure of grace bestowed upon them. True gratefulness emerges as individuals acknowledge that in spite of mean spirited and ignorant behaviors, God is still good, God still makes a way and God still causes us to triumph over painful situations and circumstances.

True gratefulness emerges as individuals look back over their lives and declare they have a testimony…”my soul looks back and wonders how I made it over…” True gratefulness emerges when one recognizes that greater is the one with us, than the one within the world. True gratefulness emerges as we say with the saints of old, “what the devil meant for evil, God meant for my good!”

The young mother and wife referenced earlier was my mother. I am grateful that she was able to see beyond the ugliness of an abusive employer, trusted God, did her best, later joined her husband, together they raised their family, bought two homes and lived their lives successfully…gratefulness, not imposed, but emerging from our hearts.

“Oh give thanks unto the Lord, for He is good. His mercy endureth forever!”

Post a comment or send me an email at Shepastor1@hotmail.com

Until next Wednesday,
In Faith, Hope and Perseverance,
Pastor Chris