What Is and What Can Be

Some people are realists … they look at things as they are. For the realist, things tend to be “black and white” and the assumption is that things and people basically stay the same. If a realist isn’t careful, he will soon find that he has become cynical and/or pessimistic.

On the other hand, others are dreamers. Dreamers take a look at the way things are, but imagine a better future. When it’s within their power, they begin to take action to make that future happen. They embrace change and are innovators. But, if dreamers aren’t careful, they can end up with their heads in the clouds and have a hard time dealing with the way things are.

Truth be told, we live in the balance between “what is” and “what can be.” We need to be realistic, recognizing the way things are and the challenges we face. But, we also need to dream a bit, and consider what could be. If we don’t, we will constantly be discouraged. As Christians, we must never lose hope! Jesus, speaking of the difficulty for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God, said, "...With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible." (Mt. 19:26)

As Christians, then, I think that we are supposed to be realistic dreamers. We need to consider the way things are with an eye toward what can be. We live and serve in a broken world and have our limitations. However, “with God all things are possible.” After all, he continues to take unworthy people, like (insert your name here), who deserve eternal judgment and calls them His children, when they receive Him as Lord and Savior. God definitely has an eye for what can be: For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. (Jer. 29:11)

This week, I invite you to do some dreaming … look at the people around you and our church with an eye for what can be. Now, take that to the Lord in prayer, and see what He can do!

In His grip,
Pastor Decker

God Knows and He Is There!

Throughout our lives, we face a variety of challenges and trials. Early in life, some small challenges seemed like mountains. As life progressed, we realize that those things were more like mole-hills, especially compared to other things we have faced along the way. Hopefully, as we have grown, our responses to crises have developed as well. Now, I’m not saying that facing a crisis, however small, is ever easy. It’s not … crises may vary in degree, but they are never easy.

One of Dictionary.com’s definitions of a crisis is, “a dramatic emotional or circumstantial upheaval in a person's life.” Many of us have been through times like these. In the moment, it may seem like our life is crashing in on us. However, once we are through the crisis, we realize that our life hasn’t crashed in on us … but it has probably changed one way or another. The question is, how will we deal with it (the change and/or the crisis)?

I could go into the various stages of grief, or typical responses to crises (in my chaplain training, they called these “normal responses to abnormal situations”), but I won’t. Instead, I’ll give you one statement that I have seen make a big difference:

“God knows, and He is there.”

It’s simple, but oh so profound. Now, this statement doesn’t usually stand by itself. It usually comes after reading Psalm 46:1-7, “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble …” and Psalm 23, both of which speak of God’s presence and care for us. The phrase, “God knows, and He is there” also stands on a person’s walk with God throughout the years. In six simple words, it reminds us of how God has been faithful throughout our lives and His promise that He will never leave or forsake us.

So, what ever you may be going through today, remember, “God knows, and He is there!”

In His grip,
Pastor Decker

Celebration & Momentum

Throughout the church year, there are several days that get special attention. Many of these are holidays that we celebrate as a nation, and throughout the world. Sometimes, we have special events in the lives of the people here, and so, we celebrate. But, when we consider Christian holidays, Christmas and Easter rise to the top of the list. We put in extra effort to make those days extra special, and we anticipate more people coming for the morning service. Now, here we are … one week after Easter. Christmas is either a distant memory, or something we see as several months away. We’ve just celebrated Palm Sunday, Good Friday, and Easter … what now?

Well, in many ways, life is back to “normal” (whatever that is). While we still look forward to events on the church calendar, the mood of celebration seems to die down a bit. I don’t miss the hectic pace of the holidays, but I do wish that the celebration would continue. I wish that we would have that sense of anticipation and celebration every time we gather for worship! I wish we would all come into the church building prepared to worship God and share stories of how He has worked in our lives over that past week. I long for that sense of anticipation … expecting God to do something special in our midst each Sunday.

Truth be told, I believe that God does do something special in our midst each Sunday. But, do we look for it or notice it when it happens. Maybe He lifts someone’s burdens. Maybe He encourages someone who was feeling discouraged. Maybe He delivers someone from a temptation that has been a week-long struggle. In any case, He is here when we gather in His name … now, that’s something special! So, as we gather for worship, let’s keep up the celebration and momentum, and remember Jesus’ words; “For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them." (Matthew 18:20) Now, let’s honor Him and celebrate His presence!

In His grip,
Pastor Decker

The Cost of Abundant Life

For most of us, John 10:10 is a familiar verse: "The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.” (NKJV) Sometimes we see the first verse quoted. Sometimes it is just the last half that is used. We like to focus in on the last part, don’t we? But, we must never forget the context.

Here’s verse 11: "I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep.” While we are quick to recognize that Jesus is talking about self-sacrificing love and service, we must take time to consider the full extent of what Jesus is talking about. Consider verses 17-18:

17 For this reason the Father loves me, because I lay down my life that I may take it up again. 18 No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down, and I have authority to take it up again. This charge I have received from my Father." (ESV)

Jesus is speaking about nothing less than his death and resurrection! And, His coming to give us life “more abundantly,” or “to the full” (NIV), required both. We could not have truly abundant life while bound by our sin, so His perfect sacrifice on the cross was vital. Neither could we have new life from God without His resurrection. Paul reminds us of this in Romans 6:4:

We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life.

So, when you hear, “I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly,” remember the cost (the cross) and celebrate the new life that came through the resurrection!

In His grip,
Pastor Decker