If My People...2nd Chronicles 7:14

What We Believe

2012-02-21T05:58:00.000-08:00

It is so easy for us to hear opinions these days. Actors, singers, politicians, CEO's and visible people of all walks of life seem eager to share what they believe. The question I pose here today is; What do you believe?

Jesus had no problem in articulating what he believed. The Sermon on the Mount (Matthew, Chapters 5-7) are full of his perspectives on life and how we should live it. He asked his disciples the big question in Matthew 16:15, "Who do you say that I am?" Peter replied, "You are the Messiah. The Son of the living God." The train had left the station in this statement from Peter.

For many years I have heard those older than me talk about a time that would come when people would have to stand on their beliefs and let the chips fall where they may. I believe today that we are living in such a time. There are huge differences between the world's major religions and if you do not know what you believe or why you believe it, the time is growing shorter for you to discover or reaffirm your belief system.

I am a Christian - I believe in a triune God; Father, Son and Holy Spirit. I also believe that faith in Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior is essential for my present life and eternal future. I respect people of differing faiths but I do not walk the same journey of faith as they do. I am called to love God and my neighbor and I believe that Jesus Christ will judge all of humanity when He returns. I am not perfect, I make mistakes, and I am grateful for the grace and forgiveness I find in Jesus Christ. These are a few of the things that I believe.

What do you believe?

Peace be with you my friends,
Pastor Jeff

Come On People Now - Smile on Your Brother

2012-02-07T08:56:00.000-08:00

In 1967 the Youngbloods released a song with a chorus that went something like this; "Come on people now, smile on your brother, everybody get together, try to love one another right now." We read Jesus' words in Matthew 19:19 as he encourages us to love our neighbors as ourselves. What's all this talk about love? We are getting close to Valentine's Day. What if we went beyond the traditional expressions of love to those we know on Valentine's Day - and we made an intentional effort to love people we do not know?

What if this was not just an American lovefest but a worldwide lovefest? Egypt and Iran would get on board and make the effort to love their neighbor - republicans and democrats would give each other a hug - the president and congress would hold hands and sing "You, Light Up My Life..." But seriously, we could make the world just a little more loving if each of us made the effort to smile on your brother or sister and love one another right now.

Peace be with you my friends. With LOVE, Pastor Jeff

Authentic Christian Worship

2012-01-30T05:08:00.000-08:00

I was looking at other church websites recently in an effort to get a better idea of what other churches say about themselves through the web. It was very interesting because no two are alike. This is predictable in that no two church bodies are alike. We all have differences in our local area cultures and climates and I think we try to capture the essence of who we are and what we are about at our church. Our first priority however, is to make God known and invite people to worship God together in community.

Authentic Christian worship cannot be manufactured. It is a form of communication between the local congregation (with their individual makeup) and God. That does not mean, in my opinion, that we cannot strive for excellence in worship. The worship team rehearses, Holy Communion is prepared, the pastor prepares his/her messages, etc.and I believe though that each church will offer their worship to God in a different way with some common components. I witnessed this cultural representation in worship with the beautiful people of Uganda. They called people to worship through their drums - they sang and danced, to the glory of God. They were in harmony together with God.

The psalmist writes, "Create in me a clean heart O'Lord and renew a right spirit within me." (Psalm 51:10) Hopefully our worship together provides the environment for God to be at work in both of these areas in our lives.
God bless you! Pastor Jeff

Are We Honoring the Sabbath Day?

2012-01-21T14:27:00.000-08:00

This past Sunday I shared a message out of Isaiah 56 where God reminds us to "keep the Sabbath." Do we really try to keep the Sabbath Day holy (set apart)? If God set the example at the beginning of creation (what a work schedule in six days, whew!!!) and then rested on the seventh day, then why aren't we more convicted to honor God in this way?

Some people remember the blue laws which included no alcohol sold on Sunday. Other families made eating together and worshiping God a priority on the Sabbath. God knew us much better than we know ourselves - God knew that we would work ourselves into an early grave if an intentional pause in the week was not put into place. Chick-Fil-A has the right idea in closing on Sunday - I would like to think that churches might swell with people worshiping God if we all honored the Sabbath Day.

One day to rest and to worship God. Come on...we can surely do that. Can't we? I would love to hear what you think.

God loves you and so do I, Pastor Jeff

P.S. Remember that God is full of grace and forgiveness - if we fall short, God is always there to pick us up. Praise God!

The Epiphany - God rescues humanity...

2012-01-06T09:56:00.000-08:00

I hate to be cut off in traffic. How about you? I don't always respond to others with Christian kindness and pray for those who hurt or slander me. How about you? The Apostle Paul poses the questions; why do we do what we know we should not do, and do not do the things we know we should do? God however, has a plan to close the chasm that exists because of our sinful nature.
The day of Epiphany (January 6th) or Three Kings Day, marks the day when the Magi came from far away to see the baby Jesus, and to lay before the feet of this "King" what the world at that time considered to be riches. With the Magi's appearance, the world recognizes that God has come to Earth in human form to rescue humanity.

Everytime I am reminded of my human failings, I give great thanks that God has a plan not only to rescue me from my sinful ways, but that this plan is a "forever" plan. (John 3:16) Have you put your faith in the one who rescues?

Bless you my friends, Pastor Jeff

A House of Prayer (Isaiah 56:7) Series at CrossRoads Begins January 8th

2011-12-30T08:48:00.000-08:00

There is a renewal movement taking place in America and internationally called 24/7 Prayer. There are several versions of this prayer movement including one with the internet address of 24-7prayer.com. They offer the following excerpt from a recent prayer experience; “We had an absolutely great and blessed camp over the New Year in St. Gallen!” Writes Susanna Rychiger from 24-7 Prayer in Switzerland. “There were 4000 young people between 14 and 25 years old there. It was the fourth time we’ve run a camp like this and it was the best ever. It was so deep – God’s presence was everywhere. The young people met God in worship, prayer and on the streets. They brought the gospel into the streets in many creative ways… there was a hunger just to meet God on a very personal way and celebrate with friends.

I love to read God's Word and know that He is listening to my (our) prayers. How about you? We have an awesome opportunity to build a relationship with God, the Creator of the Universe. How special is that? And God calls us to a life that includes prayer. I am excited to hear that prayer is making a big comeback in the lives of people all over the world. More importantly, I believe that God is excited to see it happening too. Bless you my friends, Pastor Jeff

Dancing to a Different Drum

2011-12-20T10:06:00.000-08:00

At Christmas time I am reminded of the role that television has played in our lives. As a small boy, I remember the first television brought home. It was a big wooden box with a black and white screen and Dad was so proud to turn it on for the first time. Now television is bringing us current events even as they are happening. I do believe that something is lost however, in not witnessing some events in person.

One example of this "live experience" are the drums I heard before worship services in Uganda. The drums used in Kabaale Village are made from a tree that is grown in a particular location just outside the capital city of Kampala. The drum is then tightly covered with animal skin and offers a distinctive sound. In fact you can hear the drums call the people to worship up to a mile away. Their worship of God seems very pure and heartfelt. They sing praises and dance as the drums are pounded. Three or four people play the drums and together with the people they form a harmony of voice and instrument. It is a beautful experience as they dance to the sound of a different drum. Have a great Christmas! Pastor Jeff

(Pastor Jeff Smith recently returned from a two-week mission trip to Uganda, Africa. He will be sharing his experience with the congregation at CrossRoads Community UMC on January 1st at the 10:30 am service and through this blog.)