Pastor's Newsletter
August 2008
Human Error
I exited the hospital today with an attitude of thankfulness. My buddy Joe was inside, in pain, and expecting a long recovery, but he is alive. [For any who didn’t hear, Joe Killman is recovering from an accident where he was struck by a car while sitting on the guardrail across from the Outlook golf course.]
From the moment the news broke, people prayed for Joe’s protection and recovery. The officials at the accident scene were amazed that Joe was not hurt worse or killed. We rightly thank God for protecting Joe and sparing his life. This is a time for grateful praise to our loving God.
Sometimes doubts slip in… “But why did the accident have to happen at all? Why didn’t God just cause the car to go off the road 100 feet before or 100 feet after?” I’d be surprised if Joe doesn’t ask these questions himself.
There is an answer [at least a partial answer]. Human error. The young man behind the wheel of that car was tired. He said he just closed his eyes for a moment. It was a mistake. In no way was it a malicious act, but it was still an error. We can call it sin. Before we heap any judgment on this man, let us remember similar mistakes we each have made. In the past, I’ve “just closed my eyes for a moment.” We each have committed ‘little’ sins and ‘big’ sins.
The point is, if God were to remove the consequence of all sin [thereby protecting us from falling asleep at the wheel, negligence, financial greed, hatred, selfishness, harsh words, etc.] he’d have to remove all those who sin. This world would be empty of the human race. Remember the events of Noah’s day—we should not be anxious to go through that again.
If God allows human error [thereby allowing humans], then what can we expect from him in the way of help and protection?
And we know that in all things God works
for the good of those who love him,
who have been called according to his purpose.
[Romans 8:28]
Friends, God is in control. He does allow human error, but he works good in ALL THINGS [good things and bad things] for those who love him. This is the Christian’s hope. Frankly, I don’t know the exact good Joe and Terrie will find from this experience*. They may not even see it in this life. But God is working it out. Trust him.
For I am convinced that neither death nor life,
neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future,
nor any powers, neither height nor depth,
nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us
from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
[Romans 8:38-39]
Friends, in this life, we expect to experience many joys and many troubles. God does not promise his children will have an easy life, but he does promise to be with us, transforming us by his Spirit while using all of our experiences to mature and refine us. [see James 1:2-4].
MOST IMPORTANT OF ALL, know that God has promised Jesus will return, and when he does, all creation will experience complete renewal. We will receive perfect resurrected bodies, and will live for eternity in a universe free from human error.
Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, "Now the dwelling of God is with men, and he will live with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away." [Revelation 21:1-4]
*Though I don’t know for sure what exact good God is working in this situation, I will share that from my view of the accident scene, if that young man had struck 100 feet before or after, thereby missing Joe and the guardrail, his parents may have been facing a funeral this week.
July 2008
Together, helping people Know, Live & Share the Good News. -First Baptist Church of South Berwick Mission Statement
“Know,” “Live” & “Share” are more than three words that look good in a church mission statement. These words identify the very heart of our church. Between July 14 & 18 we will see these words put into action during our Vacation Bible School.
The primary goal of our Vacation Bible School is for children within and outside of our church family to come to know God better.
· Every evening we will teach children about God as they enjoy skits, crafts, games, and Bible lessons.
· More than filling brains with facts about God, we pray God’s Spirit will transform their hearts so that they will know God in a personal way.
We do so much more than simply impart information about God. The content of the VBS takes on a more powerful meaning as we live out the Good News.
· Every hour of the hundreds of hours spent preparing for VBS is a loving sacrifice of time.
· Many volunteers give us ample opportunity to practice encouragement, love, and grace, as we strive to pull together this wonderful event.
· As our teachers teach about the importance of growing patience, they will have ample opportunity to show patience with the children and with each other. (The same goes for other ‘fruits of the Sprit.’)
· The children of our church will have opportunity to show hospitality to all of our guests.
Obviously the entire week of VBS is an act of sharing the Good News. But sharing is not limited to the dates of July 14-18.
· Many of you are sharing by inviting friends or children of friends to come to VBS. I encourage you to offer to come with them on the first day to help them settle in. Going to a new church can be quite intimidating.
· All regular attendees have the opportunity to welcome guests who come the Sunday following VBS. We pray new relationships will begin that allow us to continue to share the Good News of God’s love with people throughout the year.
Know, Live & Share is more than the heart of our church. It is the heart of Jesus as well. Jesus came so that we could know the Father. He lived out this Good News in community with others. And he left his followers with the command to share this News with rest of the world. Vacation Bible School is one means through which we continue this work of Jesus.
“I tell you the truth, anyone who has faith in me will do what I have been doing. He will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father. And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Son may bring glory to the Father.”
-Jesus words to his disciples, John 14:1314
Since we know Jesus wants us to know, live and share the Good News, please join this month in regularly praying for…
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40 or more children to be impacted by Vacation Bible School
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God to call children to place their full trust in Jesus
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All volunteers to serve with love, grace, and compassion
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Wisdom and strength for Misty & Andy Lowe [VBS coordinator and assistant].
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Safety for all volunteers and attendees
One final request! If you are not at church between 5:45 & 8:00 July 14-18, please join with VBS by praying sometime during each evening. We will give our best effort, but we fully rely on God perform the real work of transforming lives. You all are part of the VBS team.
Thank you & Looking forward,
June 2008
About 15 years ago Jackson Brown wrote a book called “Life’s little instruction book” that contained a list of simple instructions how to live life well. You may have seen or even have a copy of this insightful, fun and encouraging book. Brown says, “I read years ago that it was not the responsibility of parents to pave the road for their children but to provide a road map, and I wanted to provide him with what I had learned about living a happy and rewarding life.”
Brown wasn’t the first person to write a list of this kind. The Apostle Paul wrote practical, fatherly, God-inspired instruction to friends in a church he started to tell them how to live as they waited for Jesus’ return.
He reminded them first of their close tie to Jesus: “He died for us so that, whether we are awake or asleep, we may live together with him.” And he included this list of instruction:
• Therefore encourage one another and build each other up…
• Live in peace with each other…
• Warn those who are idle
• Encourage the timid
• Help the weak
• Be patient with everyone
• Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong
• Always try to be kind to each other and to everyone else
• Be joyful always
• Pray continually
• Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ
Jesus
• Do not put out the Spirit's fire
• Do not treat prophecies with contempt
• Test everything
• Hold on to the good
• Avoid every kind of evil
Not a bad list. Perhaps we should attach it to or refrigerators during the month of June, and review it each day. Paul encouraged the people to follow his ‘list,’ but he also recognized the need for God and his power to be at work in each person’s life: “May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. The one who calls you is faithful and he will do it.”
-Pastor Travis
[Bold-faced type comes from 1 Thessalonians 5:10-24]
May 2008 Change and Transformation
The Church
I have spoken before about the importance of change and transformation in our church. When a church remains stuck in old patterns instead of responding to God’s leading, it begins to fail. In the fall of 2003 a west-coast consultant came to our church of thirty people to tell us that change would be painful, but refusing to change would likely kill our church.
We listened to the consultant and, more importantly, we listened to God. We made changes, and have seen [thanks to God] our church head in the direction of health and growth. We have seen [thanks to God] people coming to know God through Jesus.
Our church will continue to change and transform as we continue to seek God’s leading. But that’s not what I want to talk to you about.
I want to talk to you about what happens when it is not our church that needs to change, but our own lives.
A Personal Example
I sense that Mari and I are in a season of change. We are currently experiencing the kind of family changes many of you know so well. Our children are getting older! For a while we have resisted change by treating them the same, disciplining them the same, trying to communicate in the same way, and giving them the same time and attention as when they were younger.
Those of you with kids know that doing what you’ve always done doesn’t work so well. Mari and I are responding to these [new to us, but ordinary] changes in parenting.
I am most excited that over the past few months we have both sensed God using these challenges to get our attention. We believe he is saying much more than “you need to change some parenting techniques”. We sense he is calling us to be less selfish and to rely on him more. I don’t know if I can put it into words, but it is like God is saying,
“Mari and Travis, I love you so much that I won’t let you keep doing what you’re comfortable with, and operating in your own strength. If you keep relying on yourself I will let you fail. Take time to listen to me. Trust me. Give me your first time and attention. Love me first and I will care for you and your family better than you could ever do on your own. My way is best.”
I’m not sure yet what visible changes will come from this. So far it means going to bed earlier to get up earlier and spend quiet time with God. It means focusing more on our children and their needs. Other changes may be ahead. We’ll wait and see and keep trying to rely on God. [I should add that we have no sense of God calling us to another ministry or location. In fact, our sense of call to minister at this church has never been stronger.]
Application
I share this with you because I believe our experience is common to many. No matter your life stage (teen, senior, married, divorced, kids at home, parents at home, retired, unemployed, etc.) God is using your circumstances to call you closer to him and to rely on him more. And this means change. And change is painful, as our consultant reminded us.
The Bible says God is at work changing the lives of his followers:
“And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord's glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.” -2 Corinthians 3:18
Change is hard, and we can either partner with God in this transformation, or try to resist. How about you? Is God using circumstances to get your attention to tell you to rely on him more, or to become more like him? He is? Good. Let’s pray for one another and support one another as we are “being transformed.”
-Travis
April 2008
My wife can’t speak.
Scratch that. She isn’t allowed to speak. The doctor put her on two weeks of “vocal rest” to make sure she doesn’t cause any permanent damage to her voice. That wouldn’t be good for a music teacher.
Mari wants to communicate at the same rate she used to when speaking. That’s fine when she is near a computer or has a pencil and paper, but it proves a bit more frustrating when she has to resort to “charades.”
Fingers a blur… mouth quickly forming silent words… total-body pantomiming. She’s fast. She says a lot in a short period of time. Problem is, I don’t have any idea what she’s trying to communicate.
“You want me to get you a glass of water?” Furious head-shake… “No.”
“You want me to drink a glass of water?” Hands wave me off… “No!”
“Ella wants a glass of water?” Brief pause. She looks at me like I have no clue. I have no clue. She walks away, frustrated.
Being misunderstood is frustrating.
Guess what. You never have to worry about God misunderstanding you. In fact, he knows what you want more than you do. He knows what you need more than you do.
O LORD, you have searched me
and you know me.
You know when I sit and when I rise;
you perceive my thoughts from afar.
You discern my going out and my lying down;
you are familiar with all my ways.
Before a word is on my tongue
you know it completely, O LORD.
-Psalm 139:1-4
Before a word is on your tongue. Be at peace, God knows.
-Travis
March 2008
God’s Radical Rescue
During this first quarter of the year we are reading in Exodus about God’s radical rescue of the Israelites. As we began the book of Exodus, the Israelites became slaves (Hebrew: ‘ebed) and were forced to serve (Hebrew: ‘ābad)the Egyptians.
“The Israelites groaned in their slavery and cried out, and their cry for help because of their slavery went up to God.” –Exodus 2:23
The Hebrew words for slave and service come from the same root. Now, you may be wondering why I’m giving you this Hebrew lesson. The reason is because this same word (‘ābad) can also carry the meaning of worship. If you think about it, worshipping God and serving God are related.
And God said, "I will be with you. And this will be the sign to you that it is I who have sent you: When you have brought the people out of Egypt, you will worship God on this mountain." –Exodus 3:12
When God rescued the Israelites he wasn’t just freeing slaves, but was rescuing the people from bad service (to an evil king), into good service (to a good God).
This Easter we will celebrate how God has radically rescued us from being slaves to sin, through the death and resurrection of our Lord, Jesus Christ.
But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves to God, the benefit you reap leads to holiness, and the result is eternal life. For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. –Romans 6:22-23
Just like the Israelites, God made you free so that you can worship and serve him. The reason our church exists is to do our part in growing servants of God by helping people Know, Live & Share the Good News.
We gather together as a large group during our Sunday services so that we can know God better through hearing his Word and sharing in praise.
Our small groups and Sunday school classes are built to help people live out their faith in small communities. It is a place to ask questions and talk about the Bible, and to put into practice God’s commands to love, encourage, and care for one another. Studying God’s word in a small community help us to live out his commands in all areas of life.
Our ministry teams are another place to live the Good News. As we grow as a church (in size and in organization!) we want each person to be able to serve in one area of ministry.
As we grow in serving God, the natural next step is to share with others our experience what we have received through Jesus Christ. God’s plan for the Israelites was for them to be a nation others could come and see in order to learn about God and how he relates to his people. God’s plan for the church is for us to be a people that will go and show others about God and how he relates to his people.
God’s radical rescue is news (Good News) to share. Ask God for the opportunity to share with someone you care about this Easter season.
Looking forward,
January 2008
Together, helping people Know, Live, & Share the Good News.
The above ten words concisely expresses the mission of our church. As our membership grows and our ministry expands (thank you God!), these words keep us focused on what is most important.
“Knowing” the Good News includes knowing both the details of Scripture and the ultimate Author of Scripture. This kind of knowledge should make it impossible to remain unchanged. As our Sunday school class has read through John, we’ve noticed that everyone who encountered Jesus was challenged and changed.
That is why individual Bible reading, Small Groups, Sunday school classes, and sermons are central to the Christian life. These things provide opportunity to know God. My hope and prayer for each one of you is that you will encounter God on his terms, and be changed! This, of course, will look different for each person. You may find in 2008 that knowing more of the Good News means…
• Trusting God during uncertain financial times
• Walking the path toward Christ-like maturity as you experience sickness or loss
• Finding new joy in granting forgiveness
• Leaving behind the destruction of a habitual sin
• Applying biblical principles to child raising
• Discovering that lessons from classic “Bible-stories” apply to your life
• Growing in appreciation for God as He picks you up after a self-inflicted fall
• Identifying new gifts as you step in a new job or ministry
• Softening your heart as you see poverty through God’s eyes
• Learning to voice your faith to friends or family
Here’s to knowing God MORE!
-Travis