Light into Darkness

Well, it's January 4, 2014 and I've been taking these next few days to fast and pray, seeking God's direction, strength and power. He is so amazing. This is no food, water and tea fast. I last ate Thursday night and it's Saturday afternoon as I write.

I'm blogging from the local starbucks, a local watering hole for myself. Some people don't like to come here because the owner of Starbucks has made a statement that he has no problem with same sex marriages and will use his profits to support that. So some people choose to boycott Starbucks and not put God's money into the Starbucks coffers.

However, I have not chose to do this. Jesus said that we are salt and light. We need to penetrate the darkness and make a difference (Matthew 5:13).  Jesus knew His followers were not of this world but lived in the world, and He prayed for their unity and safety (John 17:13-19).

I think if Christ followers stop going to places in the world because of what the world does with it's money, we will be going hardly anyplace. We will end up in our Christian bubble and be back to practicing monasticism. Ok maybe not quite like that, but we certainly will not be able to make a difference and lighten the way.

In 2014 I am praying for others to join me to win back areas of darkness, to illuminate these areas for Jesus Christ and to make a difference. Let's make these places where people's lives are changed and trust the Lord to honor these efforts.

Blessings... and now let's go enjoy an illuminated, zesty coffee or tea. :)

Did God Use Me As A Christmas Angel?

Let me share with you a story .. true story and it just happened ...

Yesterday, on Christmas eve, I went to visit an elderly lady that I have been ministering to for the past 10 years. Her name is Margarete. She is 100 years old and lives in a nursing home. I had a short visit with her, shared some chocolates with her and prayed for God's continued blessing in her life.

I then drove the Veterans home to see my old buddy Hugh Reuss. Hugh is a wonderful Christian man that Michelle and I have known for almost 30 years. We served together years ago at Grace Bible Church in Newaygo and we served for nearly 20 years together as board members for Bible Doctrines To Live By, an evangelistic and publications ministry. 

Hugh is in his mid 80's. His wife Jan passed away a couple of years ago and Hugh has advanced alzheimers. He's not the same person we remember him, but Michelle and I have made it a point to visit him a couple of times each year. 

I thought I'd bring a recording to play for him. It was recorded from a message I shared 20 years ago at my ordination service. Hugh sang a song to honor our entrance into pastoral ministry. I thought maybe if he heard himself, it might spark some recognition.

However when I arrived at the VA they shared that Hugh had been taken to Metro Hospital. So I went to Metro. He was in ER room #14. I went in and found Hugh sort of laying yet trying to position himself for better breathing. I spoke to him and he looked me in the eye. I couldn't tell if there was recognition or not but I sensed there may have been. He grabbed my coat and hung on to me. 

The male nurse came in and they busily took care of Hugh, hooking him to various equipment. They found it necessary to intubate him which helped his breathing. I shared I was a pastor and long time friend. They asked me if I knew how to reach family members. I didn't have phone numbers, but went to the lobby with my laptop and found phone numbers via facebook and white pages. I was able to give the hospital these numbers. I called a granddaughter who called me back and so we had the process of family calling in and coming to the hospital. Hugh was quite ill and while the hospital staff couldn't divulge everything to me (hippa laws and non family member), I sensed the urgency in their voices and Hugh was likely not to make it through this.

I had to smile as I overheard a nurse saying to a doctor, "we didn't have any contact info and then this priest appeared. It was just after he arrived that people started calling in."  

They took Hugh to the ICU ward and had me walk along with them. I greeted some family members and visited for a few minutes and then left, feeling good that family members were there with more on their way.

I returned home to some family Christmas eve activities. Things settled down around 9 p.m. and I decided to go visit Hugh again with hopes of meeting and praying with some other family members.

I arrived at the Metro ICU ward and was told that family members had just left. So I went in to visit Hugh who was resting comfortably. I had a nice conversation with his attending nurse, Jamie. Hugh was non responsive.  Just before 10 p.m. I read him (and Jamie) the Christmas story and prayed that he might spend Christmas with His Lord and Savior Jesus.

I returned home and by early morning i had a text on my phone from one of the family members sharing that earlier in the morning, not too long after my prayer, that prayer was answered. Hugh has passed on.  

Merry Christmas Hugh.. we will miss you but know you are singing today with the heavenly choir.

I share that story because it's real, it just happened and because that's part of what I believe living the better life that Jesus offers - that is considering others as more important than ourselves. In my early years as a young man, I think I may have been selfish with my time... but I have learned in the past 20+ years in my service as a pastor, that at least one key to a better life in Christ is realized when we look outside of our own needs and desires to serve others. 

I pray your Christmas offers you time to extend your hand to someone else.

Blessings, Merry Christmas!  

PC

Clint Abbott, Lead Pastor

(616)550-1067 (call or text)

Better Life Church - Kentwood, Michigan

Loving God, Loving People, Loving Life

Connect with me on: 
https://twitter.com/betterlifegr
https://www.facebook.com/betterlifepeople 

Why Our "Naughty or Nice" Behavior Is Important

My thoughts tonight are on ADVENT! I read a passage of scripture from 1 Timothy 3 which I have been familiar with for many years.

1 Timothy 3:14-16 NLT

14 I am writing these things to you now, even though I hope to be with you soon, 15 so that if I am delayed, you will know how people must conduct themselves in the household of God. This is the church of the living God, which is the pillar and foundation of the truth.

16 Without question, this is the great mystery of our faith[a]:

Christ[b] was revealed in a human body

   and vindicated by the Spirit.[c]

He was seen by angels

   and announced to the nations.

He was believed in throughout the world

   and taken to heaven in glory.

Paul has been writing to Timothy, a young pastor and providing encouragement and instruction about conduct in the church.  Paul explains to Timothy that our conduct should be such (previous verses) because the church is that of the living God - the pillar and foundation of the truth. What is the truth? The truth is a mystery… in fact it’s a great mystery of those in the faith.

He then shares what some think might have become a hymn in the church. It may have been, but it’s also the answer or follow up on what he’s been talking about. The truth - a mystery - is Jesus! Jesus is often referred in scripture to as the cornerstone of the foundation of the temple of faith that God is building within the lives of people.

But this is the key to our faith - Jesus is the cornerstone of the foundation of what God is doing in the world today. Jesus came - Advent - Incarnation.. He came from heaven and became flesh. He was vindicated.. that is, by the power of the Holy Spirit He is evidenced to be free from sin. Angels saw Him- and this was announced to the nations. People everywhere (where the gospel went) was believed upon.. and He ascended into heaven.

So why is this ADVENT thought important?  Because of what Jesus did, the example He set and the encouragement He gives to reach out, we should so conduct ourselves in a same manner.

The church is the pillar and foundation of the truth - who Jesus is - the two are interwoven together.

Today some people think that Jesus is cool but have no time for the church. However I’d suggest that God’s word says otherwise. God’s word says that the church is the pillar and foundation of the truth - that is Jesus.

In other words, you cannot be accurately related to Jesus if you’re not a part of the church and even serving in the church.

And that’s what Timothy has been writing about. Instruction in conducting ourselves within God’s church… which is the foundation of what God is doing in the world today - through Jesus.  So .. ADVENT .. Christ coming in the flesh.. but more than that.. resurrected by the power of the Holy Spirit and proclaimed to all. This is what the church is all about.. and why our conduct in the church is so vital because our conduct will communicate who Jesus is.