Punishment & Providence - JAN 25th 2009

The concept of God as the God of Providence has been nothing less than transformational for me in my relationship with Him. It is impossible to relate well with God when I am afraid of what He will do. The scripture makes it very clear in numerous places that we are to "fear God" (Gen 42:18; Psa 67:7; Prov 2:5). Yet this fear is rooted in the awesome power of His being, not in His intentions towards us. When we fear God rightly we understand and accept that He is our Creator and He sustains my existence by His will. The inappropriate fear of God is a lack of trust in His benevolence; a certainty that He is vindictive in His actions. This kind of fear will drive you far from God, give root to resentment toward God, and eventually turn into hatred toward Him. This kind of fear I must uproot and throw myself headlong into the loving arms of my Father in Heaven who CARES!

But How? The how questions are the ones that bother me the most. If I have related to God as the God of Punishment; how do I stop? And how do I change and begin relating to Him as the loving God of Providence? I am going to very humbly suggest a couple of things that may aid you in this process.

1. Confession: If I am ever going to change my perception of God, I must be honest enough to admit that I have believed a lie. Furthermore, this lie has kept me from freely receiving love from God and this has pained His heart. I confess my lack of trust in His good intentions for me.

2. Truth: I need to saturate my heart and mind with the truth of God's Word and allow my expectation to be transformed as I read of His goodness and grace.

3. Gratitude: Josephs brothers were blaming God for bad fortune WHILE God was rescuing them from a devastating famine!!! I need to stop focusing on the bad and start thanking God for the good things He has given me and done for me. I need a healthy outlook and a heart that is overflowing with thankfulness.

That's a start. I think the only thing left that you will need in order to fully change your perception of God is a miracle. But don't worry, that's God's part and He is good at it, in fact it's easy for Him.

As for me, I have developed a new love for waiting and watching to see what God will do, even in the midst of what seems like terrible circumstances. I know that He is always up to something amazing, and when He gives me a peak at His plan, I sure don't want to miss it.

Pastor Aaron Weisser

Good Luck, Bad Luck... 1/18/09

As I have thought over the life of Joseph these past couple of weeks one thought has emerged to the forefront time and again... "fully present." The art of being present in the moment is a lost art in the time driven culture we find ourselves immersed in, isn't it?

Think about it the next time your in motion going somewhere or doing something significant and someone stops you for a conversation. What are they saying, does it register or have we already left the conversation before it began.

I saw it in myself yet again just yesterday. I was talking with a friend that I have known for years and as I started to mentally "move on" past the moment I pulled myself back. I realized as I looked into his face that I had never really "seen" him. You know, the color of his eyes, the facial features, the hurt hidden behind them. How much I had missed because I was somewhere else in the same room?

My family and I were enraptured by the computer this morning as we watched history being made with the inauguration of our 44th president. Truly one of the most historic moments in American history. As the president-elect was being sworn in to the highest office in the United States, on a day of historic proportions, you could see it coming as the moment was rushed into. Their thoughts were somewhere else and the words were lost in translation and the moment was stumbled through at best. I found myself wondering how many moments I had missed because, although I was physically present, I wasn't fully present.

The attitudes and actions of Joseph are so extraordinary in part because he seems to be fully aware that he is not alone in the moment but rather that the good God of all the universe is present with him and up to something good if we were only aware. Joseph seems to grasp the fact that we don't get to live in the future and we can not live in the past, we only live in the "now".

So may you remember this week that, whether you find yourself in the dungeon or in the palace of pharaoh, you are not alone. May you find Christ present with you in every situation and conversation, and may you discover that this moment is the only one we have the privilege of living in.

Peace To You Friends,

Pastor Jonathan Walker

The Costly Path of Fear - Jan 11

As I have studied the life of Jacob it all seems so normal to me. A brother tricks a brother, a wife deceives her husband, a boss shafts his employee for his own benefit... and on and on and on. These are the stories that are common to all of us, the kinds of stories that make up the complicated and sometimes messy fabric of our lives. There seems to abound an endless number of possible obstacles between me and happiness, all fighting to rob me first. Life teaches me a few lessons and I wise up quick. I discover that I can exert some control over these obstacles, especially when they come in human form. I know life is not fair but with a sharp mind and a few devious tactics in my tool kit, I am able to control people well enough to get the responses I desire and the things I want.
All of this is of course a sham. People don't like being manipulated. Our attempts to control people only destroys relationship and we are left thinking the only option is to run away. Jacob was a runner. After stressing relationships to the breaking point, fear of consequences convinced him to run.
As we have launched out with this new venture called Church on the Rock Homer, I believe so certainly that fear is the enemy and faith is the answer. I cannot generate the things that God is doing through my strength, I can only receive from Him with open hands. Jenny and I made a very conscious decision some time back to take each day as a gift and only receive what God would give. That meant refusing to lay hold of what we wanted, refusing to use manipulation to get our way. The only challenge in taking this path is my weak faith. The reality is, if God is anything close to what the Bible says about Him, i CAN believe!!! I CAN trust. I CAN have faith in His good intentions. What a way to live!
This life of faith is the life of freedom. The pressure is off and the fear is gone. I encourage you to lay your fears before God and commit yourself to walking by faith. For some, that initial step comes with frightening consequences but I will tell you from experience; God's grace is sufficient for you and His hand will guide you through. Good things lay ahead.

Pastor Aaron Weisser