Tuesday Tune-Up

"Alligators in the Hall"

Tue, 22 Jun 2010 13:46:00 -0400

(Next week the Tuesday Tune-up is beginning it's annual summer break. It will return at the end of July!)

Last Sunday the sermon was based on the account of Jesus confronting the "Legion" of demons that had possessed the man in Luke 8:26-39. We talked about the reality, the truth of a real Devil, real demons, and Jesus' victory over them. In light of that sermon, I share this newsy tidbit with you:

A hungry, seven-foot alligator was found in the hallways of Stewart Middle School in Tampa, Florida. Teachers made sure the students couldn't get near the critter, and then they locked the gator in a men's washroom until a game officer arrived.

One of the teachers said, "He was never aggressive. The only time he was assertive was when they put the noose around him. He got kind of mad."

I can just imagine how frantic those teachers and administrators must have been. Just the thought of one of their students being gobbled up by that gator must have given them the chills. It's sad that we can see the danger an alligator poses to the safety of our children, but forget that the Devil is a roaring lion, just looking for away to gobble up our kids - forever!

Today I am going to ask you to do something you probably don't want to do. I am asking you to see the alligators in the hall. The Devil is just looking for a way to use music, TV, friends, Internet, movies, etc. to eat up your children. What alligators have you allowed into your children's lives/room/home?

It is time to get a bit more worried about the gators in the hall. They are real! They are there! They have real spiritual teeth! It is time to make sure our children are safely in Jesus' arms and protection. He has defeated the Devil, and knows how to protect your children!

"Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith." 1 Peter 5:8-9a

Don't forget there's Homework:

+Go on a gator hunt in your own home. Where can they be lurking?

+What have you done lately to strengthen the faith of your children, so they can stand firm against the Devil's hunger to have them?

Prayer Requests:

+Pray the Lord keeps us and our children safe and out of the Devil's reach.

+Ask the Lord to give strength and peace to our many members who have physical struggles.

Jesus is our Hope!

+ Pastor John+

"Lucky Duck!"

Tue, 15 Jun 2010 11:25:00 -0400

I remember one day when I picked up my daughter Laura from kindergarten, she burst into tears. I asked what was the matter. After some composure, she looked at me and bursting intoa nother round of tears said, "They called me a "Lucky Duck!" I tried to reassure her that when her classmates called her a "Lucky Duck" it was a good thing, but she just wouldn't believe me.

Indra Tamang is a "Lucky Duck." Born in Nepal, raised in a mud hut, Indra came to America, and served for 30 years as a butler, cook, and caretaker for Ruth Ford and Zachary Scott, relatively famous actors in the 50s. When Ford died last year at the age of 98, she left the family fortune to Tamang - more than $8 million.

As I said, Indra Tamang is a "Lucky Duck!".

Of course, we who are redeemed by Christ are far more blessed than Tamang. The book of Titus is quite right when it says those who are justified by the grace of the Christ have become heirs of eternal life.

What does that mean? It means that while Tamang has some money, that money's usefulness has some definite limitations. It can be lost, it can be spent, and Tamang will die someday.

On the other hand, we who by grace through faith in Christ have inherited eternal life, are given gifts which will last far beyond the end of time. We will spend eternity in a place where there is no sickness,sorrow, sadness, tears, or pain. Even if Tamang's fortune were ten thousand times larger than it is, he could not have such an assurance.

OK, Laura, after 20 years, you were right. Being calleda "Lucky Duck" isn't so great. All our "Luck"will one day run out, but membership in God's family will bless us forever!

"How great is the love the Father has lavished onus, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!" I John 3:1

Don't forget there's Homework:

+Ponder- What does Luck matter when you have Jesus?

+Who else around you today needs more than Luck? Who around needs Jesus?

Prayer Requests:

+Pray the Lord upholds and buoys us through life, especially those who fight the ongoing battle of cancer - Pete, Nancy and Carl.

+Ask the Lord to give you someone to love in His name.

Jesus is our Hope!

+ Pastor John+

"Hidden Love"

Tue, 08 Jun 2010 12:34:00 -0400

We often think of God and think of a Father's love. We think of the great love that God has for us and it moves us. However, maybe we underestimate what that love does for, in, and to us. Let me explain.

The Father's love for us changes us. Our love back to Him - our love for Him grows and grows as we live in his love forus. We may not always be aware of it, because we hide it away. We hide it away because we cannot express it to Him in person. But one day when we are reunited with Him it will all pour out.

It is kind of like children of soldiers gone to war. Their love for their dad is tucked away, because dad isn't there to receive it. It is too painful to live with that depth of love on the surface while absent from the one we love. But then, one day, dad comes back and the hidden love overflows.

I have included a link that shows the overflowing love of loved ones who have been separated by war. Click below, and as you watch,think of that day when you will turn and see your Father, and on that day a life of hidden love will overflow in a joy that will never know an end! Imagine the Father's love holding you forever, and your heart's burden of love pouring out to the One who has always love you the best!

click

This One!

"How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!" 1 John 3:1

Don't forget there's Homework:

+When you feel alone or unloved, remember the Father's love for you. One day you will get to pour out all your love in person!

+Until then, pour out some of that love on someone around you who needs it today!

Prayer Requests:

+Pray the Lord's love upholds and buoys us through life, especially those who fight the ongoing battle of cancer - Pete, Nancy and Carl.

+Ask the Lord to give you someone to love in His name.

Jesus is our Hope!

+ Pastor John+

"Say What"

Tue, 01 Jun 2010 18:58:00 -0400

There are many things that you might wish to hear people say, but never really expect them to say. Here are a few:

From my car mechanic,

"The quote I gave you is way too high; I was able to do the job for $200 less than I quoted you."

From a policeman,

"You know, I'll bet my radar gun is probably off today. I don't think you were speeding after all. Have a nice day!"

From a store clerk,

"Don't worry about the 'next lane, please' sign. I'll take my break right after I finish ringing up your purchase."

From your Pastor,

"I know that this sermon has been only 10 minutes long, but I think I said everything I wanted to say. Amen."

Nope, no matter how much we wish for it, I doubt we will ever hear anybody say those things.

In contrast to this stands God who continues to surprise us with the unexpected things He says to us. When I feel unloved, He tells me He cares. When I feel alone, He reminds me He is by my side. When I'm feeling too weak to go on, He speaks words of courage and strength. When I am overrun with the guilt of my sin, He tells me I am forgiven!

Most importantly, I have a Savior who tells me He has come to seek and save the lost. All of us were once in that "lost" category, you know. But no longer. So, today listen for the unexpected words of a God who loves you. Listen, Jesus is telling you that you are found, forgiven, and free forever in Jesus!

The Lord Himself goes before you and will be with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. Deuteronomy 31:8

Don't forget there's Homework:

+Who do you listen to that frustrates or discourages you? How can God's words turn your day/life around?

+Why do you think we resist God's Word so much when it is His words that frees and gives life?

Prayer Requests:

+Pray the Lord to protect us from the lies of the Devil, and enliven us with His words of life, love and hope.

+Remember before the Lord all who are broken in spirit or suffering in mind and body.

Jesus is our Hope!

+ Pastor John+

"Rudeness and Forgiveness"

Tue, 25 May 2010 17:13:00 -0400

One of my pet peeves is the course, callous, rudeness of daily life. People (that may include you and me many times), seem to thrive on being rude. In fact, a rude one-up-man-ship seems to rule the day. Note the story below by Ken Klaus of the Lutheran Hour:

Traffic can be a problem in a big city. This is true especially when a pedestrian encounters a rude automobile driver.

That happened to me last week.

The light turned red and a great big car rolled into the crosswalk before coming to a stop. Those who were on foot, like me, were forced to go in front of the car or behind it to get across the road.

It wasn't a long detour, but it was an unnecessary one. It was a detour compounded by the driver of the car who kept laughing at us.

That was when a young lady, a lady whom I have never seen before, did something I wish I'd thought of. She opened the back door on the driver's side, scooted all the way across the back seat, and got out on the other side.

She left both doors open -- a gesture that amused the other pedestrians and frustrated the car's driver.

We encounter rudeness every day.

We keep running into people who think only of themselves without any regard for others. Most of the time we ignore such folk, but sometimes -- like the young lady -- we want to get even right there on the spot. It's pretty satisfying. And it's pretty sad, too.

After all, we're not little children who have to keep escalating things. Name calling becomes pushing; pushing becomes hitting; hitting becomes, well, you get the idea.

Where does it stop?

The Lord knows it has to stop with forgiveness. The forgiveness we receive from the crucified and risen Savior is the same forgiveness we need to share with others. Even if -- especially if -- it's satisfying to get revenge, it's still better to forgive.

In Ephesians 4:32, Jesusencourages us to bring an end to the rudeness cycle:

"Be kind to oneanother, tender hearted, forgiving one another, just as God in Christ forgives you."

With revenge such a powerful force in our hearts, what is our motivation to forgive? "Just as God in Christ forgives you." No matter how rude we are to God, He never gets even. No, He forgives! Now, end the rudeness, and go forgive someone in Jesus' name!

Don't forget there's Homework:

+Watch your heart and determine how rudeness and revenge shape your day.

+Make a concerted effort to meet rudeness with forgiveness - "Just as God in Christ forgives you!"

Prayer Requests:

+Pray for a rude world that thrives on revenge that they may come to know a forgiving Savior.

+Remember all who are recovering from surgery and receiving treatments for health.

Jesus is our Hope!

+ Pastor John+

"Waking up is Hard to Do"

Thu, 20 May 2010 12:52:00 -0400

If you ever have had a hard waking up in the morning? I did this morning. It was raining and the wind was blowing. I wanted to snuggle back under the covers. But the reality of the day began to take over. I knew I had to get up. But, how would I go about it, and how would I take on the day?

Then the strangest thing happened. I heard voices in my room. No, my wife was fast asleep. It couldn't be her. I shook my head in an attempt at clearing away any left over cobwebs, but there they were again. I sat up and listened, and sure enough - the room was talking to me! It seems my room had advice on how to live my life:

The fan said ... Be cool!

The ceiling said ... Aim high today!

The window said ... See the world!

The clock said ... Every second counts!

The mirror said ... Reflect before you act!

The calendar said ... Be up-to-date today!

The door said ... Unlock your potential to reach your goals!

I thought about all that they had to say, and felt like burrowing back under the covers. So much to do! So much pressure. So many chances for failure! Then, I heard another voice, "Hey look down here!" So, I looked down, and...

The carpet said... Why don't you first kneel on me and pray!

So many voices in life. So much to do. Don't try doing it alone. First of all, ask Jesus to lead and guide you. Ask for His wisdom, and for spiritual eyes to see what really counts. Pray for His forgiveness and be confident in His eternal love and leading today!

Don't forget there's Homework:

+If you didn't begin today with Jesus. Do it now!

+Write yourself a note to remember to wake up tomorrow, and listen to the voice of Jesus in the midst of a rather noisy world!

Prayer Requests:

+Pray for a world that listens to the wrong voices, and pray the Lord leads you in His paths.

+Remember all who struggle finding their footing along the way. Ask God to help you be a light to them.

Jesus is our Hope!

+ Pastor John+

"Seeing Jesus"

Wed, 12 May 2010 07:43:00 -0400

How do we see Jesus? Do we look for Him in a beautiful sunset, in a moving worship service, in the birth of a child, or in a feeling deep inside? Might I suggest that we see Jesus as the writer to the Hebrews saw Him - in glory and a graveyard.

"But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honor; that He by the grace of God should taste death for every man." Hebrews 2:9

Even now, though Jesus is crowned with heavenly glory and honor, we are directed back to His death. We see Jesus as the One who tasted death for every man. He tasted death so that we might not have to dine at death's table for eternity. We see Jesus crowned with glory and honor, but never separated from His death. Even in glory His hands, head, feet and side still bear the marks that He tasted death for everyone. And so...

If Jesus tasted death for us, then he also knows! He knows what we fear, how we struggle,what our pain feels like, how dark it all can look, and just how lonely and forsaken people can feel. He knows, and promises to never leave us or forsake us. Don't go it alone! Turn to the One who tasted death for you, and find in Him the strength, hope and peace to carry on ... to the glory at His side!

Don't forget there's Homework:

+Where do you try and go it alone, and how does Jesus tasting death for us help us through?

+What secrets do you hold and hide? Jesus knows, and will love you and lead you through them.

Prayer Requests:

+Pray for Pete Bede who is beginning a new round of cancer treatment, and Nancy Bandemer who is waiting for reports.

+Ask God to strengthen our faith, and trust that He tasted death for us, and knows exactly what we need in all situations.

Jesus is our Hope!

+ Pastor John+

"It Was an Accident!"

Tue, 04 May 2010 13:12:00 -0400

How many times have we tried to excuse our behavior with the excuse, "But, it was an accident"?

That reminds me of a cowboy out west who had experienced a few rodeo-type injuries the past year, and decided he needed some insurance:

This story begins with a rodeo cowboy applying for an insurance policy.

The agent asked, "Have you had any accidents in the last year?"

The cowboy replied, "Nope, but a horse did kick in two of my ribs last summer, and a couple of weeks ago, a bull I was riding split my skull."

"Wouldn't you call those accidents?" demanded the agent.

"Naw," came back the answer, "both those beasts did it on purpose!"

And then there is this:

In a recent newspaper article, there was thestory of a boy who had been run over by a drunk driver.

The attorney for the defense said the incident was an "accident."

That's hard to believe, when this driver had been arrested three times for driving under the influence, and when this accident occurred he was operating a vehicle without a license or insurance.

Like the rodeo man said, he "did it on purpose."

Have you ever thought about what a waste of time it is claiming, "But, it was an accident?" Accident or not, the damage is done. Accident or not, we are sinners and guilty before God. Accident or not we have only one plea - "Jesus died for me!" Next time don't waste your time trying to escape guilt by pleading, "But, it was an accident!" It won't help. Instead, flee to the sanctuary of the cross, and find that Jesus died for you ... on purpose!

(PS- Just a reminder from last Sunday! G.O.D. Living, (as found on the bracelets you made or on the cards you took), means: Gratitude -Obedience - Dependence.)

Don't forget there's Homework:

+How often do you make excuses for your actions, rather then taking them to the cross? How can you turn that around in your life?

Prayer Requests:

+Pray for Pete Bede who is contemplating a new round of cancer treatment, and Nancy Bandemer who is meeting with doctors this week to discuss next steps inher treatment.

+Pray for Ric Chouinard who unexpectedly lost his job this week. Pray that God will provide for him and his family.

+Lift up those of us who have lived by excuses so long that it is hard to own our sins, repent and take them to Jesus. Pray for a greater measure of grace and the Spirit to take it all to the cross.

Jesus is our Hope!

+ Pastor John+

"Applied Grace"

Wed, 28 Apr 2010 10:34:00 -0400

Today I want to relish the Grace and squelch the Pride. To do that, I want to share this little poem that was sent to me. It points out our pride, and magnifies God's grace:

I was shocked, confused, & bewildered

As I entered Heaven's door,

Not by the beauty of it all,

Nor the lights or its decor.

But it was the folks in Heaven

Who made me sputter, stutter, and gasp--

The thieves, the liars, the sinners,

The alcoholics and the trash.

There stood the kid from seventh grade

Who swiped my lunch money - twice.

Next to him was my old neighbor

Who never said anything nice.

Herb, who I always thought

Must be rotting away in hell,

Was sitting pretty on a cloud,

Looking incredibly well..

I nudged Jesus, 'What's the deal?

I would love to hear Your take.

How'd all these sinners get up here?

Did God made a mistake?

'And why is everyone so quiet,

So somber - give a clue.'

'Hush, child,' He said, 'they're all in shock.

No one thought they'd be seeing you.'

Every saint has a PAST,

Forgiven in Christ's blood

Every sinner has a FUTURE

Since Jesus rose from the tomb!

Since it is only by God's grace we will be saved, maybe we can drop the pride and the, "I'm better than that guy," mentality. Maybe we can live in response to God's grace with a little of our own ... to each other!

(This Sunday I am beginning a two-part series on how to live in God's grace with thanksgiving, and with His grace to our neighbor. I will give you a unique tool to use to help you take that kind of living into your daily life! Hope to seey ou there!)

Don't forget there's Homework:

+Examine your life and see where you consider yourself better than an another, and remember that we are all the same - condemned by our sin, and need of God's grace. Then, thank God you have been shown that grace, and give some of it away to those around you.

Prayer Requests:

+Pray for Pete Bede who is having a scan today to determine if His latest cancer treatments have been effective.

+Remember those we have a hard time loving before the Lord, and ask for a special measure of grace that we may give to them.

Jesus is our Hope!

+ Pastor John+

"What To Talk About?!?"

Tue, 20 Apr 2010 09:44:00 -0400

OK, so what do I talk about this morning? There is a smorgasbord of topics form which to choose. A volcano brings the world to it's knees, a judge declares the National Day of Prayer unconstitutional, politics have run amok, the entire leadership of Poland is wiped out in a plane cash, sports fans are focused on playoffs and the NFL draft, and then there is this tidbit of news this morning.

From the AP - DALLAS -- After the joy of a wedding and the adoption of a baby came arguments that couldn't be resolved, leading Angelique Naylor to file for divorce. That left her fighting both the woman she married in Massachusetts and the state of Texas, which says a union granted in a state where same-sex marriage is legal can't be dissolved with a divorce in a state where it's not.

How silly we are! We spent so much time talking about same-sex marriage that we forgot there also must be same sex-divorce! How silly we are! We humans think we are so big. We think we have the answer for everything. We think all our plans, and willful behavior against a holy God are so meaningful, when all our plans will only end up in the dust and ruin of sin.

So, what do I want to talk about today? Let's talk about something that will last - something that has eternal meaning. How about this:

"The Lord is risen! He is risen indeed,

and we too shall rise with Him to eternal life!"

Now, that's something worth talking about!

Don't forget there's Homework:

+What big plans or issues have consumed you lately? Remember they will all end up in the dust bin of life, but a risen Savior is the real big news that will last forever!

Prayer Requests:

+Pray that we never let human news overshadow the eternal Good News, the Gospel of Jesus!

+Remember before the Lord our members who are facing illness and the trials of life.

Jesus is our Hope!

+ Pastor John+