Audio Podcasts and sermon notes are now available on our church website:
www.harlanfirstaog.org
Click on the "Weekly Sermons" link.
It will also soon be available on itunes.
Thanks to the hard work of our awesome computer technology webmaster team of Jan and Sue.
Thursday, November 5, 2009
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
Strong connections
I spent some time this morning thinking about authenticity of connections. One of the core priorities of my day needs to be checking connections. I spent many years in the electronics field as a technician. I learned early that most problems are a result of a weak connection rather than a failed component. We live in a day of module replacement. It is cheaper to replace the circuit board than to diagnose a problem component. The frustrating thing is that the new component will not fix the problem if the issue is with the connection leading up to it. I find this concept to have application in all areas of life. If my connection is weakened by lack of maintenance, friction and heat can burn out the wires and cause inefficiency.
Here are some solutions that will work:
Shine up the contacts. Dirt and grime in our lives can coat us and keep us from being able to transfer energy to each other.
Blow out the dust. Junk in our lives not only keeps us from getting into the rooms, it can blur our vision to the point where we run into wall and barriers instead of entering rooms and hallways of people’s lives.
Study the blueprint. The Bible is God’s plan on paper. It explains what a good connection looks and feels like. When we know it inside out, we are not trying to find apples on the orange tree. Many connections in our lives have been “temporarily” bypassed to get us by and we have forgotten to re-establish the original design. Let’s get the gator clips off and get it back to the way it was made.
God does not make mistakes. He does not need improvement in His plan. If we connect well, we will be fruitful.
An old Chorus:
It will flow like river
It will fall like the rain
It will rise as the dawning of glory o’er the land
For the Glory of the Lord
Shall fill all the earth
And the Spirit of the Lord Shall fall
Here are some solutions that will work:
Shine up the contacts. Dirt and grime in our lives can coat us and keep us from being able to transfer energy to each other.
Blow out the dust. Junk in our lives not only keeps us from getting into the rooms, it can blur our vision to the point where we run into wall and barriers instead of entering rooms and hallways of people’s lives.
Study the blueprint. The Bible is God’s plan on paper. It explains what a good connection looks and feels like. When we know it inside out, we are not trying to find apples on the orange tree. Many connections in our lives have been “temporarily” bypassed to get us by and we have forgotten to re-establish the original design. Let’s get the gator clips off and get it back to the way it was made.
God does not make mistakes. He does not need improvement in His plan. If we connect well, we will be fruitful.
An old Chorus:
It will flow like river
It will fall like the rain
It will rise as the dawning of glory o’er the land
For the Glory of the Lord
Shall fill all the earth
And the Spirit of the Lord Shall fall
Monday, November 2, 2009
Arrivals
Sermon Notes from Yesterday:
God planned this day. It’s here.
Old Chorus: He is here, He is here, My heart tells me that He is here.
Arrivals and departures are a constant part of life.
Sometimes we don’t know if we are coming or going
They can look very much alike
We know Jesus arrived in heaven because He sent the Holy Spirit.
Being where we are supposed to be when important arrivals happen
Acts 2:1 “When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place.”
Life arrived on the 6th day of creation
Genesis 2:7 the LORD God formed the man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being.
Appointed time of leadership arrive and we must be ready
Joshua 1:1-2 After the death of Moses the servant of the LORD, the LORD said to Joshua son of Nun, Moses' aide: 2 "Moses my servant is dead. Now then, you and all these people, get ready to cross the Jordan River into the land I am about to give to them-- to the Israelites.
God’s Word arrives at just the right time
1 Kings 17:2 Then the word of the LORD came to Elijah
Visitors arrive
Matthew 2:11 On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold and of incense and of myrrh.
When you arrive, Do something
Acts 8:14-15 When the apostles in Jerusalem heard that Samaria had accepted the word of God, they sent Peter and John to them. 15 When they arrived, they prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit,
And they rose up the same hour, and returned to
Jerusalem, and found the eleven gathered together, and them
that were with them. ... And as they thus spake, Jesus himself
stood in the midst of them, and saith unto them, Peace be unto
you. But they were terrified and affrighted and supposed that
they had seen a spirit. ... He shewed them his hands and his
feet," and asked for meat, and he ate broiled fish and
honeycomb before them, and spoke with them at length Luke
21:33,36,37,40
"Then the same day at evening, being the first day of the
week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were
assembled for fear of the Jews, came Jesus and stood in their
midst, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you. ... Then were
the disciples glad when they saw the Lord." (John 20:19-20)
You are expected to arrive
Acts 10:24 The following day he arrived in Caesarea. Cornelius was expecting them and had called together his relatives and close friends.
Lessons :
1. Arrive on time
2. Arrive with expectation
3. Arrive with openness
4. Arrive with Something to give
5. Arrive with knowledge of where you are
6. Every Arrival is significant
7. God has never experienced arrival ( Omnipresent )
The roar of the Lion of Judah shakes creation to the core
Realm of authority
Mark 7:31-37
The deaf hear and the mute speak and they were overwhelmed with amazement.
God planned this day. It’s here.
Old Chorus: He is here, He is here, My heart tells me that He is here.
Arrivals and departures are a constant part of life.
Sometimes we don’t know if we are coming or going
They can look very much alike
We know Jesus arrived in heaven because He sent the Holy Spirit.
Being where we are supposed to be when important arrivals happen
Acts 2:1 “When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place.”
Life arrived on the 6th day of creation
Genesis 2:7 the LORD God formed the man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being.
Appointed time of leadership arrive and we must be ready
Joshua 1:1-2 After the death of Moses the servant of the LORD, the LORD said to Joshua son of Nun, Moses' aide: 2 "Moses my servant is dead. Now then, you and all these people, get ready to cross the Jordan River into the land I am about to give to them-- to the Israelites.
God’s Word arrives at just the right time
1 Kings 17:2 Then the word of the LORD came to Elijah
Visitors arrive
Matthew 2:11 On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold and of incense and of myrrh.
When you arrive, Do something
Acts 8:14-15 When the apostles in Jerusalem heard that Samaria had accepted the word of God, they sent Peter and John to them. 15 When they arrived, they prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit,
And they rose up the same hour, and returned to
Jerusalem, and found the eleven gathered together, and them
that were with them. ... And as they thus spake, Jesus himself
stood in the midst of them, and saith unto them, Peace be unto
you. But they were terrified and affrighted and supposed that
they had seen a spirit. ... He shewed them his hands and his
feet," and asked for meat, and he ate broiled fish and
honeycomb before them, and spoke with them at length Luke
21:33,36,37,40
"Then the same day at evening, being the first day of the
week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were
assembled for fear of the Jews, came Jesus and stood in their
midst, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you. ... Then were
the disciples glad when they saw the Lord." (John 20:19-20)
You are expected to arrive
Acts 10:24 The following day he arrived in Caesarea. Cornelius was expecting them and had called together his relatives and close friends.
Lessons :
1. Arrive on time
2. Arrive with expectation
3. Arrive with openness
4. Arrive with Something to give
5. Arrive with knowledge of where you are
6. Every Arrival is significant
7. God has never experienced arrival ( Omnipresent )
The roar of the Lion of Judah shakes creation to the core
Realm of authority
Mark 7:31-37
The deaf hear and the mute speak and they were overwhelmed with amazement.
Thursday, October 29, 2009
God Strength
Just a few thoughts about the economy:
The rules of efficiency really do not change because of economical downturns. Many people are facing tight budgets today and the following rule never goes out of style.
“If our outgo exceeds our income, our upkeep will be our downfall”
That axiom stands true no matter what our bank account reflects. Staying true to integrity in these trying times certainly can mean belt tightening on the budget. With the advent of online banking, it is easier than ever to keep tabs on the daily balances and current status.
It is good to also remember that God’s promises do not change. God is not in financial trouble and still supplies our needs “according to His riches in glory” ( Philippians 4:19 )
It becomes all the more important to spend time in the Word of God and to keep the prayer lines of communication strong. Remember where our source is. Your strong connection to God will help you keep focus and balance in these “interesting” times. God wants to show Himself strong. He is always “Beautiful for situation” ( Psalm 48 )
The rules of efficiency really do not change because of economical downturns. Many people are facing tight budgets today and the following rule never goes out of style.
“If our outgo exceeds our income, our upkeep will be our downfall”
That axiom stands true no matter what our bank account reflects. Staying true to integrity in these trying times certainly can mean belt tightening on the budget. With the advent of online banking, it is easier than ever to keep tabs on the daily balances and current status.
It is good to also remember that God’s promises do not change. God is not in financial trouble and still supplies our needs “according to His riches in glory” ( Philippians 4:19 )
It becomes all the more important to spend time in the Word of God and to keep the prayer lines of communication strong. Remember where our source is. Your strong connection to God will help you keep focus and balance in these “interesting” times. God wants to show Himself strong. He is always “Beautiful for situation” ( Psalm 48 )
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
Problem solving
Another great line from the book : “Unleashing the Power of rubber Bands” by Nancy Ortberg
“As leaders, we constantly need to determine whether something is a problem to be solved or a tension to be managed”
I really like this book.
“As leaders, we constantly need to determine whether something is a problem to be solved or a tension to be managed”
I really like this book.
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
Rubber Bands
"Leadership is the hope that we can change the things that need to be changed and create what we cannot now imagine. Hope gives us the courage to move forward, the power to forgive, and the grace to keep the promises we have made."
One of my favorite lines from a book I received as a gift last night:(Thanks Tom)
"Unleashing the power of rubber bands" by Nancy Ortberg
One of my favorite lines from a book I received as a gift last night:(Thanks Tom)
"Unleashing the power of rubber bands" by Nancy Ortberg
Monday, October 26, 2009
Bridges of transition
Yesterday's sermon notes:
Bridges of transition. The Road to commitment.
The gifts of God are embers that we fan into flame.
2 Tim 1:5-6
“I have been reminded of your sincere faith, which first lived in your grandmother Lois and in your mother Eunice and, I am persuaded, now lives in you also. For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands.“
The bridges of transition must be successfully crossed.
Heritage
Fire
Power
Suffering
Salvation
Revelation
Appointment
Sound Teaching
Good deposits
God is a wonderful bridge builder.
Bridges of transition. The Road to commitment.
The gifts of God are embers that we fan into flame.
2 Tim 1:5-6
“I have been reminded of your sincere faith, which first lived in your grandmother Lois and in your mother Eunice and, I am persuaded, now lives in you also. For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands.“
The bridges of transition must be successfully crossed.
Heritage
Fire
Power
Suffering
Salvation
Revelation
Appointment
Sound Teaching
Good deposits
God is a wonderful bridge builder.
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