That's the last line of today's devotional "God So Loved You". I hope you've been enjoying the challenging comments from one of Christianity's most prolific and loved writers, Max Lucado.
Today he challenged us not to resist God's love. It's the most amazing story ever told, divinity becomes flesh and made his dwelling among us.
I was thinking after reading today's devotion about this week's message that talks about the game of solitaire and how it relates to the loneliness epidemic in our nation. Lat night someone was sharing how they were hesitant to receive the help of someone else when it was offered even though they could have used their assistance.
I'm not sure what it is that causes us to resist anothers attempts to bless us, especially if we realize it is God working through them to do so. Even more puzzling is how someone can turn down God's direct love!
Press on this week in your devotions - don't quit because you've fallen behind - just pick up where you left off or move ahead and join us today on Day 15.
God is doing some amazing things at The Grove - hope you are experiencing God's love - don't resit it - don't for heaven's sake, don't.
Jeff
Tuesday, February 26, 2008
Wednesday, February 6, 2008
Some Final Comments From Founders Week
We're back on the train early in the morning so this will be brief.
Tommy Nelson shared with us from Hebrews 13 that as Christians we must stand true! We must resist the temptation to throw up our hands and give up. We may have to suffer for our faith someday but the good news is that we don't have to stay here!
We must learn to love others better. Some of us have theological B.O.. People don't like us - we have to change that. Finally how do we do all this? Within the context of the local church. We need to grow together and impact N/E Ohio together.
Pastor James Ford gave us a glimpse as to what it means to worship His majesty.
This evening our scheduled speaker was grounded in Texas so Colin Smith stepped in and shared the message, "Finding Rest Through The Confidence of God's Word"
Briefly a couple points. If you were asked what you believe the Bible is, what would you say? The Word of God? If that was your answer you are halfway there. Many people believe that, What we seem to be lacking in understanding as Christians is what the Bible does! We must believe that it does God's work! He broke down the parable of the sower from Mark 4:1-20.
4 kinds of soil (people): hard, shallow, pre-occupied and fertile. How can we be successful? Sine God can be trusted to plow the ground, we must be intentional about sowing the seeds.
Perfect segue to this Sunday. We are praying for a harvest of souls - but how can we have this if those who haven't heard the gospel aren't present? I hope you've taken the time to send out your invitations. If not, it's not too late to send them a note and then follow up with a phone call. I look forward to seeing you all at The Grove Sunday!
In His Grip, (and soon to be riding in coach)
Jeff
Tommy Nelson shared with us from Hebrews 13 that as Christians we must stand true! We must resist the temptation to throw up our hands and give up. We may have to suffer for our faith someday but the good news is that we don't have to stay here!
We must learn to love others better. Some of us have theological B.O.. People don't like us - we have to change that. Finally how do we do all this? Within the context of the local church. We need to grow together and impact N/E Ohio together.
Pastor James Ford gave us a glimpse as to what it means to worship His majesty.
This evening our scheduled speaker was grounded in Texas so Colin Smith stepped in and shared the message, "Finding Rest Through The Confidence of God's Word"
Briefly a couple points. If you were asked what you believe the Bible is, what would you say? The Word of God? If that was your answer you are halfway there. Many people believe that, What we seem to be lacking in understanding as Christians is what the Bible does! We must believe that it does God's work! He broke down the parable of the sower from Mark 4:1-20.
4 kinds of soil (people): hard, shallow, pre-occupied and fertile. How can we be successful? Sine God can be trusted to plow the ground, we must be intentional about sowing the seeds.
Perfect segue to this Sunday. We are praying for a harvest of souls - but how can we have this if those who haven't heard the gospel aren't present? I hope you've taken the time to send out your invitations. If not, it's not too late to send them a note and then follow up with a phone call. I look forward to seeing you all at The Grove Sunday!
In His Grip, (and soon to be riding in coach)
Jeff
Tuesday, February 5, 2008
Want To Be A Great Christian?
Another powerful day of teaching at Founders Week!
We were treated first thing this morning to Dr. Gary Chapman (5 Love Languages among others) who shared "You and Your Adult Child". He broke down Ezekiel 18 with some awesome observations:
#1- Parents cannot control or determine the behavior of their adult children. The good news is that they can never outlive the influence of your training and prayers for them!
#2- Parents are not responsible for the sins of their adult children.
#3- Children need not fail because their parents failed.
#4- We can, and do, influence our children and their children.
After some awesome time of worship, we experienced the ministry of Sara Groves and then the Executive Director of Jews For Jesus , David Brickner spoke. He broke down further Psalm 46. His passion for winning all people, and especially Jews was more than inspiring and caused me to wonder if I had the same zeal for the lost in Lake County?
Tonight it was all caped off by Chip Ingram, President of On The Edge Radio ministry in California. He is heard by over 1 million people a day! I can't do justice to what he shared but let me try.
His message was "Becoming A Romans 12 Christian"
His question to us was "What makes a Great Christian?" He stated that the glory of God demands Great Christians and the needs of the world demand Great Christians.
The problem in the church today is not too much ambition, it's too little!
I hope to be able to expand more on this to you personally someday but here's the cliff notes on what makes a Great Christian:
Verse 1- Surrenders to God
Verse 2- Separate from the world
Verses 3-8 - Sober self-assessment
Verse 9-13 - Serving in love
Verses 14-21 - Blesses those who persecute you
You can see why these may require more explanation. But I challenge you to read Romans 12, look at the previous breakdown and see where you are on the road. In fact Chip closed by challenging each of us to chart a path from here we are to become a Great Christian.
I hope these nightly blogs are blessing and challenging you! More tomorrow.
In His Grip,
Jeff
We were treated first thing this morning to Dr. Gary Chapman (5 Love Languages among others) who shared "You and Your Adult Child". He broke down Ezekiel 18 with some awesome observations:
#1- Parents cannot control or determine the behavior of their adult children. The good news is that they can never outlive the influence of your training and prayers for them!
#2- Parents are not responsible for the sins of their adult children.
#3- Children need not fail because their parents failed.
#4- We can, and do, influence our children and their children.
After some awesome time of worship, we experienced the ministry of Sara Groves and then the Executive Director of Jews For Jesus , David Brickner spoke. He broke down further Psalm 46. His passion for winning all people, and especially Jews was more than inspiring and caused me to wonder if I had the same zeal for the lost in Lake County?
Tonight it was all caped off by Chip Ingram, President of On The Edge Radio ministry in California. He is heard by over 1 million people a day! I can't do justice to what he shared but let me try.
His message was "Becoming A Romans 12 Christian"
His question to us was "What makes a Great Christian?" He stated that the glory of God demands Great Christians and the needs of the world demand Great Christians.
The problem in the church today is not too much ambition, it's too little!
I hope to be able to expand more on this to you personally someday but here's the cliff notes on what makes a Great Christian:
Verse 1- Surrenders to God
Verse 2- Separate from the world
Verses 3-8 - Sober self-assessment
Verse 9-13 - Serving in love
Verses 14-21 - Blesses those who persecute you
You can see why these may require more explanation. But I challenge you to read Romans 12, look at the previous breakdown and see where you are on the road. In fact Chip closed by challenging each of us to chart a path from here we are to become a Great Christian.
I hope these nightly blogs are blessing and challenging you! More tomorrow.
In His Grip,
Jeff
Monday, February 4, 2008
Be Still
Hello from Founders week at Moody Bible Institute! What a powerful opening to this week long conference. As the pipe organ began to play, students from 40 nations carried their national flags into the church and the congregation began to sing "All Hail The Power of Jesus Name".
It was very moving and we were thrilled to be a part of it. The pictures aren't great but can give you a flavor of what we witnessed.
The message by Dr. Michael Easley, President of MBI, focused (as will the entire conference) on Psalm 46. We were challenged to understand some key points that I thought I'd briefly share with you.
Verses 1-3 remind us that God is our refuge. As a culture we are afraid of everything. He is not just our shelter but also our strength. Even if the earth should change, oceans rush in, or mountains move, our God who is sovereign will never change. So what are you afraid of right now?
Verses 4-7 tell us that He is our defense when attacks occur. History has shown that entire nations have risen up against God but all He had to do was speak and they were defeated. What is coming against you?
Verses 8-11 speak of the fact that God will be exalted. There are times when the worries, fears and doubts will come upon you - you will cry out to Him and He may not save you as you would like - but God is sovereign and in the end, no matter how it washes out - He will be exalted!
He made mention of the fact that He has a dog that obey him better than he obeys God! That stung when we heard it - can you relate?
I hope this challenges your thinking - I hope to have more insight tomorrow. In the meanwhile I plan on "Being still and knowing that He is God". That's how I can remain...
In His Grip,
Jeff
It was very moving and we were thrilled to be a part of it. The pictures aren't great but can give you a flavor of what we witnessed.
The message by Dr. Michael Easley, President of MBI, focused (as will the entire conference) on Psalm 46. We were challenged to understand some key points that I thought I'd briefly share with you.
Verses 1-3 remind us that God is our refuge. As a culture we are afraid of everything. He is not just our shelter but also our strength. Even if the earth should change, oceans rush in, or mountains move, our God who is sovereign will never change. So what are you afraid of right now?
Verses 4-7 tell us that He is our defense when attacks occur. History has shown that entire nations have risen up against God but all He had to do was speak and they were defeated. What is coming against you?
Verses 8-11 speak of the fact that God will be exalted. There are times when the worries, fears and doubts will come upon you - you will cry out to Him and He may not save you as you would like - but God is sovereign and in the end, no matter how it washes out - He will be exalted!
He made mention of the fact that He has a dog that obey him better than he obeys God! That stung when we heard it - can you relate?
I hope this challenges your thinking - I hope to have more insight tomorrow. In the meanwhile I plan on "Being still and knowing that He is God". That's how I can remain...
In His Grip,
Jeff
Saturday, February 2, 2008
Thanks From Chicago!
Cindy and I are so blessed to be part of The Grove Family!
We have struggled with ways to thank you all for your kindness in the check given to us at Christmas. We wanted you to know that it provided us with the means to attend this awesome Bible conference at Moody. We went to Detroit Friday evening to pick up Cindy's sister (the one who had cared for Cindy's ailing mom) and then rode the train into Chicago where Amy and Jason picked us up.
The Founders Week conference worked out a deal with Hotel Indigo for special rates and your check covered our stay! It's beyond our imagination, quite nice. We thought we'd send you a picture which really doesn't do it justice. Wish you could all be here with us to hear the many dynamic preachers and musicians.
We will miss not worshipping with you tomorrow, I guess we'll have to settle for Bill Hybels at the downtown Chicago annex to Willow Creek. Let me brief tonight and leave you with this from both of us from Ephesians 1:16-17:
"I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers. I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better."
In His Grip (and in a giant deck chair)
Jeff and Cindy
We have struggled with ways to thank you all for your kindness in the check given to us at Christmas. We wanted you to know that it provided us with the means to attend this awesome Bible conference at Moody. We went to Detroit Friday evening to pick up Cindy's sister (the one who had cared for Cindy's ailing mom) and then rode the train into Chicago where Amy and Jason picked us up.
The Founders Week conference worked out a deal with Hotel Indigo for special rates and your check covered our stay! It's beyond our imagination, quite nice. We thought we'd send you a picture which really doesn't do it justice. Wish you could all be here with us to hear the many dynamic preachers and musicians.
We will miss not worshipping with you tomorrow, I guess we'll have to settle for Bill Hybels at the downtown Chicago annex to Willow Creek. Let me brief tonight and leave you with this from both of us from Ephesians 1:16-17:
"I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers. I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better."
In His Grip (and in a giant deck chair)
Jeff and Cindy
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