tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-80664014213224544622024-03-12T23:47:38.041-07:00To Own Him LordJonathanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04336469561847561234noreply@blogger.comBlogger81125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8066401421322454462.post-24104951199453474772016-04-27T12:56:00.000-07:002016-04-27T12:56:02.758-07:00New location for all postsFor the near future, I will no longer be posting to this blog, and instead am posting weekly reflections on the New Hope Church "<a href="http://newhopebgr.org/#/welcome/pastors-column" target="_blank">Pastor's Column</a>" (click to access). As long as I am posting there, I will not post on this blog.Jonathanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04336469561847561234noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8066401421322454462.post-57212263233699552642016-04-27T12:53:00.000-07:002016-04-27T12:53:01.274-07:00April Update from New Hope<div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #222222; font-size: small; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Thank you for your ongoing interest in and support of New Hope Church. Here are a few updates from the past two months here in Bangor:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><br /><b><u><span style="background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial;">Work-Faith Interviews</span></u></b><span style="background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial;">: Over the past four weeks, we have been holding brief “work-faith interviews” during the Sunday services. These interviews give a glimpse of the work God has given to several different members of the congregation, and highlight God’s claim on each of our occupations from Monday through Saturday—no matter what kind of work we do. “Serving God” and enjoying Him is not only about what happens on Sunday or on missions trips; o</span></span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">ur daily work—whatever our occupation—is claimed by God. The gospel shows us that w</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">e no longer have to make ourselves ok or prove ourselves by our work, since we are accepted because of <i>Jesus’</i> work.<b> </b></span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">That truth frees us from workaholism and perfectionism. And since Jesus is the king of every good work, we are also free to view work as an opportunity to honor Him and participate in His work—not just as a necessary evil. In these past four weeks, we have heard from a mother with the full-time occupation of raising children, a college student settling on a major and working a part-time job, a teacher who works with advanced students, and a chiropractor. Each of them shared with thoughtfulness, honesty and humility—sharing how their identity is not their work, but how their work itself can be seen as serving God, and how their approach to their work is being shaped by the gospel. It’s been such a privilege to hear from each of them!</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><u><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18.4px;">Cabin Fever and Slot Car Races</span></u></b><b><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18.4px;">: </span></b><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18.4px;">Several members worked to host a slot car race and potluck dinner in early March. It was an enjoyable time together as a church family, and also a good opportunity to welcome the guests who attended. One church member had built two slot car race tracks, and nearly thirty contestants competed in the race bracket, which was then followed by a meal. It was a great time to enjoy each other’s company and get to know others who came, in a fun (and competitive!) setting.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><u><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18.4px;">Mentoring</span></u></b><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18.4px;">: Over the past couple months, several members (who have committed to mentor youth or others in the church) have been meeting to brainstorm and grow as mentors. It has been encouraging to see a couple mentoring relationships growing, even though it seems to be a small start. I am realizing that it is helpful to have a structure in place for the mentoring program—but also that simply imposing a structure does not in itself yield growth. But God is at work!<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><u><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18.4px;">Leadership</span></u></b><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18.4px;">: Over the next month, we will be praying for God’s call on more individuals who could serve as elders and deacons, and receiving nominations from the congregation. We would be grateful for your prayers for God’s provision and guidance during this time.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">As always, if you ever find yourself in the Bangor area, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with us!</span></span></div>
Jonathanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04336469561847561234noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8066401421322454462.post-34488484903905923512015-02-26T08:39:00.001-08:002015-02-26T08:39:34.233-08:00When the Bible Confuses Us<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 18.3999996185303px;">As we study the story of David in 1 Samuel in our sermon series, and find the Bible confusing at times, it’s helpful to remember that God—not humans—is the true Author. He’s bigger than we are! If we could easily wrap our minds around His Word, that would mean that His Word would be smaller than our minds. In reality, He does help us understand His Word, but it’s far bigger than we are—and that means that it will keep on stretching us as we see how much<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><i>bigger<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></i>He is than we first thought. C.S. Lewis addresses this well: </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 18.3999996185303px;">“It is the simple religions that are the made-up ones… If Christianity was something we were making up, of course we could make it easier. But it is not. We cannot compete, in simplicity, with people who are inventing religions. How could we? We are dealing with Fact. Of course anyone can be simple if he has no facts to bother about.”<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>(C.S. Lewis,<i> <em>Mere Christianity</em>,<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></i>137, as quoted in<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span><a href="http://www.bethinking.org/who-are-you-god/advanced/understanding-the-trinity.htm#_edn12" style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;" target="_blank"><span style="line-height: 18.3999996185303px;">http://www.bethinking.org/who-are-you-god/advanced/understanding-the-trinity.htm#_edn12</span></a><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 18.3999996185303px;">)</span></blockquote>
Jonathanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04336469561847561234noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8066401421322454462.post-806550826304892512015-02-26T08:38:00.001-08:002015-02-26T08:38:12.649-08:00February Update from New Hope<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Dear Friends and Family,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Thank you for your ongoing interest in and support
of New Hope Church. Here are a few updates from the past two months here in
Bangor...<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><u>Missions</u></b><b>: </b>After our leadership team spent time thinking and praying about where God
may be leading New Hope to focus in this upcoming year(s), one of the areas
that rose to the surface was foreign missions. Long having been recipients of
so much prayer and financial support from individuals and congregations (Thank
you!), we are now considering ways that we can begin to give more broadly,
specifically in the area of foreign missions. We hope that this will develop
into meaningful partnerships—not just financially, but also relationally.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><u>Discipleship</u></b><b>: </b>Another area of focus in 2015 was discipleship: the need for further
growth in depth and maturity of faith. One of New Hope’s particular strengths
is how God’s hospitality is expressed through the welcome extended to visitors.
However, we have realized that we need to continue to provide opportunities for
growth toward maturity—not just entry into the church. We are beginning to take
steps to address this growth area (through a mentoring program—explained in
more details below—through an element of monthly leadership training at our
meetings, and perhaps through content in sermon series’), and we pray that God
will be at work to give each member at New Hope an increasing hunger and the
tools to grow in their walk with Him. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><u>Mentoring
Program</u></b><b>:
</b>For the past year and a half, the idea of starting a
mentoring program (for the youth at New Hope) has been simmering on the back
burner. One of the most significant memories of mine from growing up in the
church was of the adults who invested in getting to know me, and sharing
something of their life and faith. Intergenerational relationships are crucial
for discipleship in the church, and a context in which God works powerfully in
the lives of both young and old. After thought and prayer—and seeing God’s work
in the youth group that was started last year—this seems like the right time to
step forward. We will begin by asking specific adults in the congregation to
consider being mentors (with the expectations of praying daily for their
mentee, touching base weekly at church or by phone, and doing some more
significant activity together monthly). After this, we will contact the youths’
parents for permission, and then the youth themselves, distribute “get to know
you” questionnaires, and pair mentors and mentees. After a kick-off event,
mentors will meet regularly with a member of the leadership team, as a
sounding-board for the mentoring relationship and to encourage ongoing growth
in the lives of mentors as well. We would appreciate your prayers for God’s guidance
and work through this, knowing that “Unless the LORD builds the house, the
builders labor in vain.” (Psalm 127:1)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I have found it a profound privilege to see the unity, mission-mindedness, wisdom and stewardship so
evident in the leadership team here at New Hope--and to be able to work alongside
these leaders. We are all grateful for the past and present partnerships New
Hope has had as we continue to transition from a church plant to an
increasingly self-sustaining congregation. Thank you for your partnership in so
many ways.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Please don’t hesitate to contact me directly should you
have any questions, or find yourself in the Bangor area!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">In our Lord,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Jonathan</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
Jonathanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04336469561847561234noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8066401421322454462.post-17049905660557686722015-02-05T08:00:00.001-08:002015-02-05T08:00:50.503-08:00Whose Word Will We Bank On?<div style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.3199996948242px; margin-bottom: 6px;">
Whose word will we believe about God, the world, and ourselves--ours or His? Ultimately, we choose to believe either our word or God's Word. One is full of empty promises that can never deliver or bring us home; the other speaks a hard word about our sin but a bigger word about God's grace in Christ. And in this Word is our hope.</div>
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"...the Christian is the man [or woman] who no longer seeks his salvation, his deliverance, his justification in himself, but in Jesus Christ alone.<span class="text_exposed_show" style="display: inline;"> He knows that God’s Word in Jesus Christ pronounces him guilty, even when he does not feel his guilt, and God’s Word in Jesus Christ pronounces him not guilty and righteous, even when he does not feel that he is righteous at all. The Christian no longer lives of himself, by his own claims and his own justification, but by God’s claims and God’s justification. He lives wholly by God’s Word pronounced upon him, whether that Word declares him guilty or innocent." (Bonhoeffer, Life Together, 22-23)</span></div>
<br />Jonathanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04336469561847561234noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8066401421322454462.post-19715582068665743782014-12-30T12:17:00.000-08:002014-12-30T12:17:13.799-08:00Babies, Farts, and a God Who Delights<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Over Thanksgiving, I met my four-month old nephew
for the first time. It was a delight: I was able to hold him while he was going
to sleep, change his diaper, and the best of all—to make farting noises and
watch him crack a big smile each time. (I am convinced that this is one of an
uncle’s primary roles—along with roughhousing as nephews grow bigger.)
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">As I reflected on this time, it was interesting to notice
that Paul didn’t have to <i>do </i>anything
for me to delight in spending time with him. He couldn’t carry on a conversation,
throw a football, or help me brainstorm a sermon idea. And yet I had a great
time with him. In fact, pretty much all he could <i>do </i>was smile. But that’s the most rewarding thing to my brother,
sister in law, or the rest of his relatives: When we made a silly face or funny
noise, seeing him smile was an incomparable delight. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">How easily do we forget that God delights in us
before we can <i>do </i>anything? He knit us
together in our mother’s womb (see Psalm 139:13), and He claims us as His own in
Jesus. In Mark 1:11, the Father tells Jesus, “You are my Son, whom I love; with
you I am well pleased.” And believing in Jesus, we have been claimed by God as
His own beloved sons and daughters—before we have <i>done </i>anything. He delights in us, and He delights to see us simply smiling
up at Him in response.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">How easy to forget that we are not called to be so
different from my nephew. In the busyness of doing things "for God", we often neglect
to rest in His delight in us as His son or daughter whom He loves. Yes, Paul
will grow up and be able to do more than smile, but one would hope that this mutual
delight would remain at the core of his relationship with his parents and others
who love him. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">“The LORD your God is with you, the Mighty Warrior
who saves. He will take great delight in you; in his love he will no longer
rebuke you, but will rejoice over you with singing.” (Zephaniah 3:17) Belonging
to and following Jesus, this promise is ours to claim (see 2 Corinthians 1:20</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">). We are called to grow in using our gifts to
serve God and others, but must never forget this core truth that our Father
delights in us before we can do anything. And perhaps what He desires from us
right now is a simple smile in response to His delight in us.</span></div>
Jonathanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04336469561847561234noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8066401421322454462.post-72542854730023480022014-12-30T12:12:00.002-08:002014-12-30T12:12:51.195-08:00December Update from New Hope<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Dear Friends and Family,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! Thank you to
each of you for your prayers, encouragement, and support of New Hope in this
past year. I am grateful for your partnership in whatever form that takes, and
pray that God blesses you as He provides for all your needs in this upcoming
year. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">A few news items from this past
month...<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">“<u>Fighting
Well</u>”</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">: We just finished our study on a biblical approach
to conflict (using Peacemaker Ministries’ curriculum, “Resolving Everyday
Conflict”). It was a good time as a group, both with the teaching as well as
the discussion times, and the subject matter was relevant to everyday
situations. It’s often easy to pretend conflict doesn’t happen, or to implicitly
assume that following Jesus simply means being “nice”. As a middle child, I gravitate
toward the role of peacemaker, but have been learning the importance of
actually <i>engaging</i> in healthy conflict
and not just seeking surface peace. Conflict is inevitable, and as Christians
we have been equipped to handle it well. This study addressed how to navigate
conflict—not just avoiding or attacking, but actually engaging in healthy conflict
in light of the gospel. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Sermon
Series</span></u></b><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">:
</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">After an Advent series on what it means to get ready
for Christmas (and for Jesus’ return), we will return to the story of David in
1 Samuel. I have found it a privilege (and for some passages, a healthy
challenge) to be preaching straight through a book/narrative, as it means
engaging with topics that I might naturally shy away from. But the whole of
Scripture is God’s Word, and sometimes the most challenging passages give the
glimpse into God’s character and work in our lives that we most need.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Building
Search</span></u></b><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">:
</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">We continue to look for a more permanent worship
space, and in early January I will meet with another pastor in the area to discuss
a potential location. We appreciate continued prayers for clarity in mission
and direction in this upcoming year, and discernment in the building search
(that it would be in service of what God wants us to do and where He would have
us be). In a recent budget meeting, it was profoundly encouraging to see the
unity and shared vision among leadership team members—and the shared desire
that the budget reflect the mission God has given New Hope.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Thank you for taking time to read, and for any
prayers. Please don’t hesitate to contact me directly should you have any
questions, or find yourself in the Bangor area. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">In our Lord,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Jonathan<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Jonathanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04336469561847561234noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8066401421322454462.post-61076763846284074632014-11-27T12:52:00.001-08:002014-11-27T12:52:06.996-08:00How We Approach Community<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Some months ago, I was leading a small group study, and was discouraged by how few people showed up. That evening after the study, I went home frustrated and disappointed.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">The next morning, I picked up <i>Life Together </i>by Dietrich Bonhoeffer (in which Bonhoeffer seeks to describe true Christian community). I happened to open it to a particularly poignant section. Bonhoeffer was writing about how, all too often, we come to community with our own “wish-dreams”: our personal ideals and picture of what the community <i>should </i>look like. Of course, this ideal doesn’t often include annoying personalities (including our own quirks), and the daily need to forgive and be forgiven, bearing with one another. And when our “wish-dreams” clash with the messier reality of the actual community, hopefully those wish-dreams will be shattered. Otherwise we will be living in a fantasy world—never able to actually love the actual community because we are so wrapped up in it not matching our ideal. In fact, “</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">He who loves his dream of a community more that the Christian community itself becomes a destroyer of the latter, even though his personal intentions may be ever so honest and earnest and sacrificial.” (Bonhoeffer, <i>Life Together</i>)<b><o:p></o:p></b></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">This was convicting to me. I had come with my ideal of church community, and of course (subtly in my mind) this entailed an exuberant response to this particular small group by many congregants. For various reasons, this ideal was not realized this week. Would I love the actual community (of which I am a part—and which is, including me, much “messier” than my ideal), or would I cling to my ideal and grow distant from the actual community?<b><o:p></o:p></b></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Bonhoeffer continued. We all too easily approach the community of which God has allowed us to be a member as <i>takers</i> rather than grateful recipients. We don’t celebrate the “small” workings of God in the everyday community, thinking it’s noble to always be aspiring towards bigger successes. But if God big things only to those who are good stewards of the small things, why should He give us “big” successes if we aren’t truly grateful for the “little” successes He gives every day? Here I was, frustrated about lack of numbers, but neglecting to thank God for the growing hunger for God’s Word that I’ve seen, or the intergenerational relationships at New Hope, or the way members care for one another. And even more, Bonhoeffer wrote that we even ought to be grateful for the privilege of bearing with and forgiving one another! When we are wronged, we have the privilege of extending God’s grace—thus also reminding ourselves of it, of which we stand in need every day.<b><o:p></o:p></b></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Through these passages, God shifted my whole perspective. My prayers for New Hope have changed from being primarily requests, to being slightly more saturated with gratitude. In slowly releasing my own (not necessarily God-shaped) “wish-dreams” for the community, I am freed to see and celebrate what God <i>is </i>doing even in the midst of the messiness in our lives.<b><o:p></o:p></b></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Of course, this doesn’t mean we don’t long for more. The apostle Paul longed, strove, prayed, and rebuked tirelessly as he sought to foster the growth of the churches around him. But he also loved the churches, and knew that he himself was in need of the “most” grace of all. But we need to realize that we are not the creators of community: God is, and we have the privilege of entering as grateful recipients and participants. So we can trust Him and His work in us and the Christian community, and be grateful for the privilege of participating in His Church.</span></span></div>
Jonathanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04336469561847561234noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8066401421322454462.post-85456866838508889582014-11-27T12:51:00.004-08:002014-11-27T12:51:41.071-08:00November Update from New Hope<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Once again, thank you for your support and interest in
following what’s happening at New Hope. Here are some updates and reflections from
this past month in Bangor.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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</span></span><!--[endif]--><b><u><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Hospitality</span></u></b><b><span style="font-size: 12pt;">: </span></b><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Sometimes it’s easy to see only the weaknesses and growth areas of one’s
own congregation, when God has also given us so much for which to be grateful
if only we notice where He’s at work. One of those areas of strength at New
Hope is the hospitality extended to fellow members and visitors (and which I also
experienced upon my arrival last year). A few weeks ago, I saw this on several
levels. Someone was visiting for the first time—his first time back in church
in years, I believe—and it was wonderful to see how naturally and genuinely he
was greeted by many people, and even how he appreciated being able to work
alongside other members in setting up and taking down chairs and partitions for
the service. He felt sincerely welcomed, and returned the following Sunday. It
was encouraging to see not only how caring people here are for one another, but
also how they extend that care to others as well.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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</span></span><!--[endif]--><b><u><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Defined by Our Professions</span></u></b><span style="font-size: 12pt;">: As I’ve continued to navigate what it means to be a “pastor”, I’ve
found it all too easy to view this as my primary identity. As soon as someone
else discovers what I do, their reaction often shifts significantly: I am no
longer just “Jonathan”, but “Pastor Jonathan” (with all the associations that may
accompany it). And whether in pastoral or other vocations, perhaps this same
tendency (of being identified by what we do) is reflected in the first question
we often ask someone: “What do you do?” In these past months, I’ve been
reminded that my identity is <i>not </i>first
that I am a “pastor” (or for others, that they are a teacher or an electrician
or a software engineer); my identity is first that I am a Christian. Knowing who
we <i>are</i>—that we are sons and daughters
of God—must come before our “doing” identities. If I forget this, I could
easily become a “professional” pastor—“doing ministry” but not being truly
grounded in my faith. So before we are pastors or professors or nurses or
contractors, we are sons and daughters of God. Out of that identity, then,
comes our profession and work in the area in which God has equipped us. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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</span></span><!--[endif]--><b><u><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Sermon Series:</span></u></b><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> Over the
course of the past couple months, we’ve been studying the story of David in 1
Samuel. It’s been rewarding to study the story in its immediate context (with
all its “messiness”: Scripture, like life, is certainly not “G-rated”), and
then see how it points us towards Christ—the Son of David—and then where we find
ourselves in the story. Preaching from narrative also lends itself to skits: It’s
been enjoyable to have children in the congregation help act out the passage,
modern parallels to the passage, or do role-play scenarios related to the
sermon theme. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Thank
you for reading!</span></span></div>
Jonathanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04336469561847561234noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8066401421322454462.post-14554198971535111962014-10-31T07:52:00.002-07:002014-10-31T07:52:35.004-07:00Walking a Dog and the Image of God<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">A couple months ago, I noticed a woman taking her dog
for a walk in my neighborhood. She was perhaps in her upper fifties, and not in
the best of health. The dog was about a foot tall at the shoulder, weighing
maybe twenty pounds.</span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">But the striking thing was that, though I said she was
taking her dog for a walk, in reality it was more as if the dog were taking her
for a walk. One moment it would be charging down the sidewalk, leash taut and
dragging the woman along as fast as she could run (which was not very fast
because of her health; she looked as if she could easily stumble and fall). The
next moment the dog would stop to sniff the base of a telephone pole, giving
the woman a brief respite. Then he would take off again, the woman stumbling behind
him. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">My first reaction to this scene was to be somewhat
judgmental. My mother is a dog trainer, and she had shown us the need for
boundaries and training for our dogs. Couldn’t this woman put limits on the
disrespectful behavior of her tiny dog? But quickly my perspective changed. Of
course this is guesswork as I’ve only just begun to become acquainted with this
woman, but I began to wonder how she might have been treated and the things
she’d been told about herself, that would bring her to this point of being dragged
along by her dog’s agenda. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">God delights in and cares for the smallest members of
His creation: He even feeds the birds of the air. They are important. But Jesus
then says, “Are you not <i>much more
valuable</i> than they?” (Matthew 6:26b,
emphasis added) <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">This scene has haunted me since. Here was someone who
has been made in the image of the eternal, omnipotent and majestic God of the
universe. Here was someone who had been formed by the One who calls every star
by name. Here she was, at the mercy of her dog’s whims, dragged along behind it
when she herself could barely run. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">What does this woman—and so many others in Bangor and
our world, including you and me—need to know? She needs to know the God who has
made her, delights in her, and claims her as a daughter of the King in Jesus.
In The Weight of Glory, C.S. Lewis gives a glimpse of what this looks like:<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">“It is a serious thing to
live in a society of possible gods and goddesses, to remember that the dullest
and most uninteresting person you talk to may one day be a creature which, if
you saw it now, you would be strongly tempted to worship, or else a horror and
a corruption such as you now meet, if at all, only in a nightmare. All day long
we are, in some degree, helping each other to one or other of these
destinations. It is in the light of these overwhelming possibilities, it is
with the awe and circumspection proper to them, that we should conduct all our
dealings with one another, all friendships, all loves, all play, all politics.
There are no ordinary people. You have never talked to a mere mortal.
Nations, cultures, arts, civilization—these are mortal, and their life is to
ours as the life of a gnat. But it is immortals whom we joke with, work with,
marry, snub, and exploit—immortal horrors or everlasting splendors.” (</span><a href="http://www.thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/justintaylor/2011/10/17/there-are-no-ordinary-people-you-have-never-talked-to-a-mere-mortal/#sthash.8sVO2sGj.dpuf"><span style="line-height: 115%;">http://www.thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/justintaylor/2011/10/17/there-are-no-ordinary-people-you-have-never-talked-to-a-mere-mortal/#sthash.8sVO2sGj.dpuf</span></a><span style="line-height: 115%;">)<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">This woman—and thousands of other men and women in
Bangor and wherever we find ourselves—needs to hear the gospel. They and we
(for it isn’t just “those people” who need to hear the gospel, but each of us
every day: we receive before we can give) need to hear of a new center and
grounding of their worth and how much they are loved in Jesus. They need to
hear and tell of God’s glorious rescue plan for the lost; they need to hear of
God’s love for the unlovable; they need to hear of God’s forgiveness and
cleansing; they need to hear the party in heaven that takes place whenever one
sinner repents; they need to hear God’s blessing spoken over them. We need to
hear God’s Word to us. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">This woman is so much more than she thinks she is—as
we are also in God’s eyes—and in Jesus, the road is paved for her to live as a
beloved and treasured daughter of the living God...the God who, with every
Christian as with Israel, “will take great delight in you; in his love he will
no longer rebuke you, but will rejoice over you with singing.” (Zeph. 3:17) We
need to daily receive God’s love and delight in us because of Jesus. And we
have the calling to introduce others around us to the God who delights to claim
weak and broken sinners like us and them as His own beloved sons and daughters. </span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
Jonathanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04336469561847561234noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8066401421322454462.post-44215910940040755592014-10-29T19:40:00.000-07:002014-10-30T14:33:00.104-07:00October Update from New Hope<div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #222222; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">October Update from New Hope<span style="font-size: small;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Here are a few news items from this past month at New Hope/Bangor...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><u>Small Group Study</u></b><b>: </b>Our current Thursday evening small group has been entitled “Fighting Well: Christian Conflict”, and we are using Peacemaker Ministries’ curriculum on addressing conflict from a biblical perspective. Some of us need to learn how to change from destructive patterns of conflict to God-honoring habits. But the leadership team has also recognized that, perhaps for more of us in the church, we need to learn how to actually engage in conflict in the first place—rather than pretending it doesn’t exist or just maintaining a surface-level peace. There has been strong interest in this study, and we pray that God will continue to work through it to teach us healthy habits of conflict and peacemaking.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><u>Soccer</u></b><b>: </b>My coaching season wrapped up mid-month, and it was a delight to work with this group of students. My captains even shared that, with the 24 high school girls on the team, there were no cliques. Instead, the players were invested in and excited for each other’s success and the success of the team as a whole. It was a privilege to work with my captains as well; I am slowly learning the value of equipping them and giving them more responsibilities rather than trying to do everything myself. I also had a couple opportunities to discuss matters of faith with girls on the team (particularly noticing how the jump-off point for these conversations is often their curiosity about supernatural forces: something which Jesus was not shy in addressing). I am profoundly grateful for the opportunity to coach, and the mentoring moments during the season.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><u>Building</u></b><b>: </b>As New Hope has been gathering in a school gym for several years now, we have been open to options for a more permanent space. We have a good relationship with the school, but hope to have a space that would not involve weekly set-up and take-down. So far, we have considered sharing space with another congregation, leasing our own space, or purchasing a building. Please do join us in prayer for guidance as we continue this process. With that said, God has also reminded of the potential danger of seeking a building with the idea that a worship <i>space </i>will itself create a shared mission and vision (an external solution to an internal need). We need to first be listening to (and following) how God is shaping New Hope’s mission and vision as we enter these next years, and then, out of obedience to Him, we can seek a building that facilitates what He would have us do/focus on. This month, our leadership team is taking time in listening prayer, attune to how God has equipped and worked through New Hope in the past, what He’s doing in the present, and how He may be leading us into the future. We will then come together in our December meeting to discuss this further. Please pray for discernment and sensitivity to God’s leading—whether or not the areas in which He would have us focus involve a building.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><u>“Random” Meetings</u></b>: As I often work in local coffeeshops, there have been many opportunities to meet and build friendships with other regular customers. I have met several individuals in particular who have moved from outside Bangor, and who have expressed feeling isolated in this area. One day, I noticed a woman (I’ll call her “Julie”) at a table by herself, looking quite depressed. I had seen her there before, so introduced myself. We had a relatively brief conversation, but Julie shared how she felt isolated, and a little of her past. Then, a couple months after this initial conversation, I saw her again. This led to a much longer conversation, with her asking questions about many aspects of Christian faith. I was struck by how much she opened up, and I’ve found that although it is very rare for anyone to initiate a conversation with me, the vast majority are quite open when I take the first step. I’m grateful for these opportunities to meet others and hopefully begin to introduce them to Jesus.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Thank you for your prayers, support, and encouragement.</span></div>
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Jonathanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04336469561847561234noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8066401421322454462.post-39691268501394716452014-10-10T07:21:00.001-07:002014-10-10T07:21:30.818-07:00September Update from New Hope<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Dear Friends and Family,</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">I apologize about taking so long to write
another update. It’s been a full summer, and below I’ve given just a couple
glimpses of what’s happening at New Hope and here in Bangor. Thank you for your
interest in reading, and for all your prayers!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">Sermon Series</span></u></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">: For the past couple months, I’ve been preaching through the story of
David in 1 Samuel. We’ve come to some challenging passages, but it’s also been
a great opportunity to address how to read the Old Testament (and any difficult
passages in the Bible). Each Sunday, we spend time addressing the immediate
passage in its own context, then how it points to Jesus, and then what that
means for us. So in the story of David and Goliath, we saw the family and
political dynamics at work in that time and place, and then saw how Jesus (the
“Son of David”) is also <b>our </b>representative champion who defeats sin and
the devil through his sacrifice—and how we participate in His victory by faith,
like the Israelite army no longer had to be afraid after David had killed
Goliath. <b><o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
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<b><u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">Youth night:</span></u></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;"> One of our leaders observed that the youth in the church don’t have much
connection, so in July we started a once-a-month youth night. I am co-leading
with another couple in the church, and encouraging other adults to join at
times, hopefully allowing for informal mentoring relationships. We start by
eating together, then do a group lesson (watching a popular advertisement, and
then discussing its messages through the lens of Scripture—learning a Christian
worldview), and then play games. It’s been exciting to see the response from
the youth, to see them engaging with one another and the leaders, and to see
the parents’ appreciation of this opportunity for their children. Please
continue to pray for mentoring relationships to develop between adults and
youth, as well as for friends and visitors who come—that they may experience
the hospitality of the gospel and come to know Jesus.<b><o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
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<b><u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">Street Pastors:</span></u></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;"> For the past few months, a management team (of which I am a member) of leaders
and members from various churches in the area has been meeting to bring a
ministry called “Street Pastors” to Bangor (see streetpastors.org for the
organization; bangormaineusa.streetpastors.org for the in-the-works local
website). This organization began in the U.K., and local chapters train and
send out lay “pastors” to extend the love of Christ on the streets—being a
listening and caring presence during the high-crime times. Cities in the U.K. have
seen crime rates drop dramatically with Street Pastors’ presence, as people
experience God’s love through Christians meeting them where they are. In our
first “patrol” a couple weeks ago (a group goes out every Friday between 8pm
and 1am), it was amazing to see God at work. There have been many opportunities
to listen to what people have to share, pray with them, be a presence that
prevents conflicts that otherwise might have escalated, provide for basic
physical needs and/or direct people to resources and social services agencies,
and to share the gospel in deed and word. One of the most amazing parts was to
see Christians from many different congregations presenting a united witness.
One of the men who had gone summarized it something like this: “An Anglican, a
Methodist, a Congregationalist, a Reformed believer, an Adventist, and a
Baptist walk into downtown Bangor…It sounds like the start of a joke, but it’s
not—it actually happened last Friday!” In fact, one man was so blown away by
seeing congregations working together that he just (completely unsolicited)
offered a monetary donation on the spot. Please continue to pray for Christian
unity (in the midst of the diversity of more peripheral convictions held by believers
who are involved). God is at work!<b><o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;"><br /></span></div>
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<b><u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">Soccer:</span></u></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;"> In
August, I began my second season coaching girls’ JV soccer at John Bapst—a
local private high school. Coaching keeps my schedule full, but I find it
refreshing and enjoyable. It’s a great opportunity to build bridges within the
community, and at our first team dinner, I was able to connect with one parent
in particular about a challenging church situation. This past week, I also met with my captains
for dinner to talk about leadership, and the team/season in general. It was
neat to see them noticing teammates who are more on the margins—and thinking of
how to integrate them. We also talked about leadership as investment in others’
improvement as well as one’s own. I could tell that the captains were genuinely
excited as they observed improvement by one of the girls in particular. A
couple weeks into the season, and it’s been a great time.<b><o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">Babies:</span></u></b><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;"> </span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">Over the course of five months this summer, there were four babies born
at New Hope. We’re grateful for all healthy deliveries, and the increase in
noise is well worth it!<b><o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">It is a privilege to continue to be able
to live in Bangor and work alongside those at New Hope. Thank you for your
encouragement and support.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">In our Lord,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">Jonathan<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Jonathanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04336469561847561234noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8066401421322454462.post-88570783538781323332014-07-18T08:30:00.002-07:002014-07-18T08:30:34.501-07:00July Update from New Hope<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Thank you for your continued support of the
work at New Hope here in Bangor, Maine. We see God at work, and trust that He is Lord of this congregation and this city!<span style="font-size: small;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">A few updates from
the past couple months…<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">We are currently in a sermon series
entitled “Are You Crazy Busy?” in which we are seeking to grow in a Scriptural
perspective on rest, work, and what is of eternal value—all in light of the
gospel. So far we've addressed the gospel and rest, a biblical perspective on work, Christian "ambition", and worry. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Over the past couple months, we have been
re-working the mid-week men’s and women’s Bible studies, and in late June started
a mixed (men’s, women’s, and youth) Bible/topical study. We hope to give
couples and families the opportunity to study and grow together, with multiple
generations present and a setting where friends and neighbors can also feel
welcome—allowing for both discipleship and evangelism. I meet with a leadership
team each week prior to the study, to brainstorm, plan, and pray together. One
or two of those on the leadership team will be leading each session (sessions
running for about two months before we shift to a different topic), but with
the support of the whole team. This should allow for both growth opportunities
for current and future leaders, as well as shared responsibility that will
hopefully allow leadership to lead directly at times, and at other times simply
attend as participants. Our first study met on June 26<sup>th</sup>, and there
was a good turn-out. For the first two-month session we are going through
sections of Richard Foster’s <i>Devotional
Classics</i>—addressing spiritual disciplines and growth towards maturity in
Christ. Please pray for the leadership team members to continue to grow, and
for those participating in the study.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">God has persistently been reminding me
and others at New Hope of the centrality and importance of prayer. Two years
ago, following the CRC prayer summit, a prayer team was formed at New Hope and
has been meeting weekly since then. It’s wonderful to see the faithfulness of
these members, their hearts for God, and their prayer that is saturated with
worship. In addition, this past winter I was able to attend a seven-week prayer
training (addressing repentance and spiritual/emotional/physical healing from a
strongly Scriptural perspective) and shared the materials with our prayer
ministry team leader, and a few members were also able to attend a weekend
“retreat” led by a local congregation that focused on prayer and repentance. We
are hoping to continue to encourage and equip members these areas—and are
looking to find and train prayer partners who would be available to pray with
individuals after the Sunday service. Please pray that God would give New Hope
an increasing hunger to seek Him in prayer—recognizing prayer as communion with
God and as an arena for spiritual warfare. God works powerfully in response to
His people’s prayers! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">We have seen God working in response to
our prayers in many ways. One individual in particular comes to mind, although
there have been numerous other ways that God has worked through the
prayer team. We had been praying for one member’s mother for some time; she was
diagnosed with cancer, and we began praying not only for her physical health
but for her salvation. And God powerfully answered those prayers as He worked
through those who spoke to her about Jesus. I could see a change in her: Where
before she had seemed to only express faith on a surface level, she now began
to actually want to hear Scripture, expressed genuine joy and hope in Jesus,
and began to open up to her daughter and others in a new way. She died this
past week, but God had answered our prayers for healing on the most profound
level: healing in her relationship with Him and with others. It’s amazing to
see God’s work even in the lives of those who are near the end of their lives.
Please pray for His continued regenerating work in the lives of other spouses,
parents, children, and friends.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">On another note, God has given us growth
on two levels over this past year: New families have been coming to New Hope,
and we also have four babies expected (two already born, two on their way) in
the span of five months!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">New Hope has also been partnering with
other churches in Bangor, and it’s encouraging to see the united witness to
Christ that can result. As one example, members at New Hope co-sponsor the “Gen
Rev (General Revelation) Outdoor Club” with others at a local conservative
Anglican church, planning hikes and outings that provide the opportunity for
time together and the opportunity to invite those who don’t yet know Christ. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">My tennis coaching season ended well; the
boys’ team made it into the post-season but lost in the first round. However,
it was a good time to begin to build bridges in the area, and God also provided
opportunities during the season to share my faith with players and parents. We
just started a middle school summer tennis camp, and I look forward to
continuing coaching tennis each spring and soccer each fall. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Once again, thank you for your
partnership in the gospel. We appreciate ongoing prayers for protection for our
leadership, spiritual protection and restoration where needed for marriages, and an ever-increasing hunger for God and recognition of our
dependence on Him. He is Lord of the Church and King of this world.</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: small;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
Jonathanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04336469561847561234noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8066401421322454462.post-57604780351641676272014-05-28T09:45:00.002-07:002014-05-28T09:45:40.538-07:00May Update at New Hope<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Easter
at New Hope was a great time. A number of visitors joined us, and the
message was on the story of God’s redemption in Scripture. Adam and Eve fell into
sin when they believed the lie that God was not good, but God fiercely loves
His people so much that He would stop at nothing to bring them (us!) back home—even
giving His only Son. This is the story we all need to hear every day, as we
grow in the gospel and in the knowledge of God’s goodness to us. During this
service, we also presented families with young children with <i>The Jesus Storybook Bible</i><span style="font-size: small;">—a powerful and
theologically rich children’s story Bible, which shows how all the stories in
the Bible point to Jesus.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">On
the weekend after Easter, I was ordained as Minister of the Word at New Hope. I
am grateful for such support in this time from friends and family, and from
everyone at New Hope. It has been a privilege to serve God alongside the
congregation, and I look forward to the years to come!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">In
a couple weeks, we will be wrapping up our Sunday School for the summer. We’ve
been watching television commercials, and then discussing their implicit and
explicit messages and comparing them to Scripture. During the past few weeks,
we’ve also been addressing spiritual disciplines that counteract destructive
messages, such as prayer (versus cultural values of self-reliance such as in
Chrysler’s “It’s Halftime in America” Superbowl commercial) and fasting (versus
an idolization of food in various commercials).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">We’ve
also seen a number of answers to prayer in the past months. God has worked
powerfully in the life of an elderly relative of a church member, and we have
seen a change of heart even as she approaches the end of her life. God is still
at work to save, and it’s been a good reminder to never give up in prayer or
our witness! This and other evidences of God’s goodness have been an
encouragement, and it seems that God has been growing in us a hunger to seek
Him in prayer.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Thank
you all for your support and prayers. In this next month, please pray for God
to continue to give us a greater hunger for Him as we expand the prayer ministry
here at New Hope. In addition, in late June we will be starting up a Bible and
topical study for men, women, and youth, so please pray that God would be
preparing leaders and those who will be attending—including those who don’t yet
know Jesus.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">In our Lord,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Jonathan Fischer </span></div>
Jonathanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04336469561847561234noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8066401421322454462.post-83723548860437099512014-04-30T19:21:00.004-07:002014-04-30T19:21:45.168-07:00"Making" Jesus Lord?<div style="border: 0px; color: #474534; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 24px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I remember a conversation I had with a teenager several years ago, who professed to be an atheist. When I asked him why he didn’t believe in God, he explained that he didn’t like the idea of someone up there who could tell him what to do.</span></span></div>
<div style="border: 0px; color: #474534; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 24px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">That stuck with me. He professed not to believe in God because he didn’t want to have to obey God.</span></span></div>
<div style="border: 0px; color: #474534; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 24px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Of course, underlying this statement is the assumption that his own way of living is better than God’s design for his life. And that’s a lie: The God who created and loves us calls us to a life of flourishing, away from our own self-destructive and impotent self-centeredness.</span></span></div>
<div style="border: 0px; color: #474534; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 24px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">But there’s another problem with his statement. The <em style="border: 0px; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">fact </em>of God’s existence is not determined by whether or not we like the idea or acknowledge Him. We have to reckon with the reality of God’s existence either way. It’s not a question of whether God is “up there”; the only question is whether this teenager will <em style="border: 0px; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">acknowledge </em>God’s claim on his life.</span></span></div>
<div style="border: 0px; color: #474534; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 24px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">But this mindset isn’t only true of professing atheists; it’s also true of each of us at times. Whenever we sin or go our own way, we’re acting as if there were no God, as if Jesus were not really King. And sometimes, even when we are seeking to honor God, our language reveals this faulty understanding of God. We find ourselves using phrases such as “make Jesus Lord of your life” or “I need to put Christ first”. I understand the sentiment behind these phrases, but ultimately they are confusing.</span></span></div>
<div style="border: 0px; color: #474534; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 24px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">You and I can never “make” Jesus Lord; He already <em style="border: 0px; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">is </em>Lord and King—period. You or I can never “put” Christ first; He already <em style="border: 0px; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">is </em>the “First and the Last” (Revelation 22:13). So it’s not our job to “make” Jesus Lord; it’s simply for us to first <em style="border: 0px; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">acknowledge </em>that He<em style="border: 0px; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">is </em>Lord, and then to <em style="border: 0px; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">appropriate/receive </em>Him as <em style="border: 0px; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">our </em>Lord.</span></span></div>
<div style="border: 0px; color: #474534; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 24px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">We weren’t the ones who crowned Jesus King; if we were, that would put us in a position of authority over Him. Remember what Peter said in Acts 2:36: “God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Messiah.” When we recognize this, we see that we’re simply called to align ourselves with this reality.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">We could think of it like this: Imagine if I assumed that the law of gravity didn’t apply to me, so I climbed every house and jumped off the roof. It wouldn’t go so well. But if I finally learned to acknowledge and respect the law of gravity, I would stop jumping off roofs and wouldn’t get injured. In doing this, I wouldn’t have “created” the law of gravity or “made” it true; I would have simply <em style="border: 0px; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">aligned</em> myself with it and stopped rejecting its claim on me.</span></span></div>
<div style="border: 0px; color: #474534; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 24px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">As another example, think of WWII in Europe after the Nazi surrender. If the few scattered troops were to continue resisting the new authority in Europe, they would be defeated. They would need to recognize that the war was over, and surrender. By surrendering they would be <em style="border: 0px; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">acknowledging </em>the authority and victory of the Allies—not “making” the Allies victorious.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">On Easter, we celebrate that Jesus is the living Lord. Christ is King. We don’t “make” Him King; He is already King, and we simply acknowledge His authority and align ourselves under Him.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">As Christians, that means that when we speak to others about Jesus, we’re<em style="border: 0px; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">announcing</em>. We’re not trying to get others to “make” Jesus Lord of their lives; we’re pleading with people to <em style="border: 0px; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">acknowledge </em>that Jesus <em style="border: 0px; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">is </em>Lord—and to rest in (or to appropriate) Him as <em style="border: 0px; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">their </em>Lord.</span></span></div>
<div style="border: 0px; color: #474534; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 24px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">And thankfully, Jesus is not only a Lord and King who conquers and judges, but a King who forgives, saves, and protects His own! He has limitless grace for all who throw down their arms and come to Him for forgiveness. And He doesn’t just give amnesty; He pours out upon us the never-ending favor of God. When we come to Jesus and acknowledge that He <em style="border: 0px; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">is</em> Lord and Savior—and <em style="border: 0px; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">our </em>Lord and Savior—we are no longer under the anger of God; we are under His favor as adopted sons and daughters.</span></span></div>
Jonathanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04336469561847561234noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8066401421322454462.post-4395271334218701832014-04-10T09:42:00.001-07:002014-04-10T09:42:46.932-07:00Call and Ordination to New Hope Church<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I have
been a long time in writing, and have a few updates to share. <span style="font-size: small;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Call and Ordination</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">As I
mentioned last year, Pastor Carl Bergman (the lead pastor at New Hope) took a
sabbatical from October 2013 – February 2014, and as Intern Pastor, I was
functioning as the sole pastor during this period. Over his sabbatical, it
became clear to Carl that God was leading him to step down from pastoring New
Hope and to enter a partial retirement. (He will still be working for the
denomination in this region.) <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Following
this news, New Hope later extended a call to me to serve as lead (long-term) pastor.
Through a period of thought and prayer, God gave me a sense of peace about the
call, and I accepted in late February. It will be a privilege to continue to
serve the congregation and city in this region! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">In
mid-March, at our regional denominational leadership meeting, I was examined in
my faith and life, preaching, and biblical and theological understanding.
Although I certainly approached the exam with some trepidation, it was a very affirming
time—and especially encouraging to have family and several long-time friends
and mentors there. Now that I have been ordained, there will be a special
ordination/installation service at New Hope on April 27<sup>th</sup>. Thank you
for all your support and prayers leading up to this point! I know I will
continue to need them in the coming years.</span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Coaching</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I just
started coaching tennis at a local high school, and as always it’s a delight to
work with the team. We have 17 students, and already I see several potential
captains/leaders among them. It can be exhausting to coach on top of everything
else, but in many ways it’s even more refreshing to run practices and be able
to mentor these students in an enjoyable and challenging athletic context. Please
pray that this season provides opportunities to point the students and their
families to Christ.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Easter</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Our Ephesians sermon
series will be finishing up this Sunday, and we are praying that next week’s
Easter service will be a time when many others will have the opportunity to
hear the gospel. In addition, as we have gained more young families in our
congregation and anticipate the birth of four more babies within these next couple
months, we will also be giving out <i>The Jesus Storybook Bible </i>on Easter
morning to all families with children. (This is the best children’s Bible I
have seen, showing how the whole of Scripture points to Jesus. I actually
bought my own copy as well; it’s well worth it for children and adults!)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">New
Members</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">It’s been a privilege to teach a new members’ class that will conclude this
upcoming Sunday. Two long-time members are co-leading the class with me, and
three couples are participating. We spent the first week addressing the foundations
of Christianity, seeking to answer the question, “What is the gospel?” The
gospel is something that Christians are called to live <i>into</i>, not move
past—so it never loses its relevance. It’s like a good book that only gets
better the more we read it. The second class focused on our Reformed “accent”, with
an overview of the Reformation, Heidelberg Catechism, Belgic Confession, Canons
of Dort, and our denomination in particular. Our last class will focus on membership
at New Hope in particular. We will discuss the history of New Hope and its membership
covenant, and also the importance of addressing previous church experiences—forgiving
where necessary before pursuing membership at New Hope.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">As always,
thank you for your prayers—I know we need them. And if you find yourself in
Maine sometime in the next few years, please let me know; I will now be here
past this year!</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />Jonathanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04336469561847561234noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8066401421322454462.post-22195869532493279232014-03-11T12:05:00.003-07:002014-03-11T12:05:18.460-07:00God Even Saves Pastors<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
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<i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-language: HE;">I consider
everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my
Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I
may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that
comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ—the righteousness
that comes from God on the basis of faith. I want to know Christ… (Philippians
3:8-10)</span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">God’s
grace is powerful. It’s big enough to save drunks, murderers, users, abusers,
and persecutors. But that’s not all; He doesn’t stop there. He even saves those
who grew up in the church and never slept around, never got in a fight, never
smoked a joint. Can you imagine that? His grace is so big that He even saves
me.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">That’s
my testimony. I grew up in a good home with loving Christian parents; I did
well in school; I’ve volunteered in a nursing home, graduated from seminary, and
I’m serving as a pastor. And yet none of that gives me an “in” with God: The
only confidence I can have before our holy God is Jesus Christ Himself, to whom
I belong body and soul. I need Jesus just as much as anyone else: I need the
Jesus who even saves pastors. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">When we
begin to see God for who He is, and His law for what it is, it doesn’t matter
how good and “churchy” our lives appear. We quickly find that we are desperately
in need of forgiveness and transformation. We see pride that we never thought
was there; we find selfishness that sucks us inward; we discover a
self-sufficient and independent attitude that keeps us from trusting and
yielding to our God. And we recognize that anything truly good in our
lives—anything—has come not from us or our merits, but from God, the giver of
all good gifts. And from this God we—even we!—can receive pardon alongside the
most notorious criminals. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">And if
Jesus can save someone like me—prideful and rebellious as I am—He can save you
and anybody. Jesus didn’t just died for the murderers; He died for the “good”
people who looked down on the murderers and congratulated themselves that they
weren’t like them. He brings even self-righteous hypocrites to a place of
brokenness and a posture of repentance. That’s grace! There’s hope even for me,
for you.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">We
don’t have to have gone off the deep end, and reached the world’s idea of
rock-bottom, to truly experience the depth of God’s grace in Jesus. So for
those of us who grew up in the church, never really “rebelled”, and maybe lead
a Bible study, we need Jesus. And our testimony can just as powerfully point to
God’s power and grace as that of the most hardened criminal. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Our God
is so big that He doesn’t just save murderers; he even saves “church people”
like me. That’s amazing grace. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
Jonathanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04336469561847561234noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8066401421322454462.post-92016982738225236822013-12-20T09:35:00.005-08:002013-12-20T09:40:50.728-08:00Everyday Theology<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">You may have seen this Thai Life Insurance
commercial (you can watch it <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qZMX6H6YY1M" target="_blank">here</a></span><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">), entitled
“The Silence of Love.” It’s a powerful image of a father’s love, and the effect
on his daughter as she sees what he’s done for her. I’d encourage you to watch
it. We actually used this video in one of our Sunday School classes at New Hope, in which we're evaluating cultural messages (in the form of advertisements) in light of Scripture. </span><o:p></o:p><br />
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><span style="background: white; color: #222222;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">In this commercial, we see a teenage daughter,
angry that her father is deaf and mute—unlike everyone else’s fathers. She
ultimately comes to the point of attempted suicide, and is rushed to the
hospital. Her father is distraught and ends up giving his own blood for a
transfusion to save her life—and at the conclusion of the video she finally
recognizes and receives his love for her. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">But if that’s where we stop, we miss out. Stories
or images like this show something of human love, but ultimately they point
beyond themselves to our God. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Think about it like this: If you enjoy watching for
wildlife, when you see a shadow of a large bird skimming along the ground, your
first reaction is to look up in the direction of the sun. Shadows do not exist
in and of themselves; they are always cast by something solid. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">And although it may be easy to think of “theology”
as abstract and less “real” than the everyday experiences in our lives, the
opposite is true. This world—though twisted by the fall—is full of shadows that
point us to the real source of those shadows. There are parables all around
that point us to God if only we take the time to notice them. Over time, we can
better learn to recognize and come to know what is actually casting those
shadows. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">The Thai Life Insurance commercial gives us a
glimpse of the powerful and self-sacrificial love of a father for his daughter.
Doesn’t this remind us of something else as well? Human love is imperfect, but
it point to the reality and source of all that love: Jesus giving His blood for
us—the transfusion that gives us life. Of course, God is not deaf or mute: It’s
just that we’ve been covering our ears so we can’t hear His words to us. Our
Father loves us so much that He gave His own life for us. But these glimpses of
love around us—shadows of the source of all love—point us to the One who is
casting those shadows. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Of course, this all takes a little imagination. If
we assume that God is simply the exact reflection of our capacity to love,
give, forgive, then we end up with petty gods like the Greek pantheon. We end
up with big humans. But if we recognize that every shadow, however insubstantial
it is, gives evidence to something far more solid that is actually casting that
shadow, then we are on the road towards a weightier theology. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Another example. Whenever we screw up and hurt
someone else, but then experience their forgiveness, we catch a glimpse of a
greater forgiveness. Jesus gives us the prayer “Forgive us our sins as we
forgive those who sin against us.” In a sense, whenever we forgive—however
imperfectly—we are learning and coming to know God’s forgiveness a little
better. When you let go of a grudge and give it over to God, you begin to
realize, “Wow…God actually forgives and releases me, and extends goodwill
toward me—even me, with all that I’ve done against Him (far more than anyone
else has done to me!)…” <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">And there are more shadows pointing to the greater reality.
Each morning when you get dressed, that everyday action points you to Isaiah
61:10 (“</span><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">he has clothed me
with garments of salvation…”)</span><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">. When you
take a shower—nothing special about it in itself—you see a shadow that points to
the greater reality that your sins having been washed away by Christ (the same
thing that baptism points to in a special way). When you sit down to your ordinary
breakfast of eggs and toast, you catch a glimpse of the truly life-giving nourishment
of Jesus’ body and blood, received in faith like you receive your breakfast by picking
up your fork to eat it (the same thing that the Lord’s Supper points to in a
special way).</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br /></span>
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Theology seems abstract until we see the shadows
that God has cast in the midst of our everyday lives. Scripture attunes us to
these shadows and then points us to the reality itself: God Himself. So every
time we give or receive forgiveness or love, every time we get dressed, take a
shower, or enjoy a meal, we’re having a theology lesson. If only we will stop
and take notice of the shadow, and then look up beyond it. And then we may
actually come to know the One who is casting the shadow…That’s everyday
theology.<o:p></o:p></span>Jonathanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04336469561847561234noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8066401421322454462.post-61973625102171168102013-12-20T09:33:00.000-08:002013-12-20T09:33:06.029-08:00News from Bangor and New Hope<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">Some recent updates on life in Maine:</span></span></div>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Over
the winter, I’ve been able to join a men’s indoor soccer league as well as a
semi-weekly tennis night. These have been great times to decompress, do
something I love, and meet others in the area. I am grateful for various ways
to plug in around the area—and it doesn’t hurt that those are through sports I
love to play!</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">One of
the things I love about living in Bangor is the small-town feel. Bangor has a
population of around 40,000, so it’s not tiny (it is actually the third biggest
city in Maine). Even so, I have found that I can be sitting in a coffeeshop
(one of my “offices” as I prepare sermons or do other work) and often count on
running into several people I know. Ever since it’s been too cold for hiking, I
have tended to spend my Mondays (my day off) at a local Starbucks to relax and
read—and it’s been enjoyable to see people I already know as well as to meet
others in this setting. It’s been a privilege to be able to connect with others
in various settings around the city.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">As New
Hope is relatively small, there aren’t enough students to sustain a traditional
youth group. Because of that, we have been considering other ways to engage the
younger generations, hoping to bridge the generation gap and hopefully pave the
way for formal or informal mentoring relationships between members. As I grew
up in my home church, I certainly enjoyed our youth group. But one of the most
significant memories I have was of the older men and women in our small group who
actually took the time to get to know me, shared their lives, and invested in
my life. And I believe this is one of the things that the Church has in its
very DNA. The Church is not a special interest group; if it were, then there
would be little common ground between generations. The Church is a gathering of
forgiven sinners who have been brought into a new family through Jesus Christ.
It’s like a Thanksgiving dinner table with grandparents and grandchildren
sitting side-by-side and splitting the last of the cranberry sauce. With this
foundation—the common ground in Jesus Christ and the family ties with God as
our Father—there is ample reason to build relationships between generations. Of
course it will be awkward and stretching at times, but we should never
underestimate the impact of those interactions. Over these next couple months, I
look forward to opportunities for younger and older members to grow alongside
each other—and I believe that the resulting relationships will be mutually challenging
and enriching. Faith in Jesus is contagious when His followers genuinely take
the time to invest in one another’s lives out of love for Him. I pray that
through our youth and men’s Bible study in January (as one place I hope this
can happen), we may have a setting in which those of all ages can come to know
one another and grow together in the gospel.</span></li>
</ul>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">Thank you all for your prayers and encouragement!</span></span></div>
<br />
Jonathanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04336469561847561234noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8066401421322454462.post-62758571131770426672013-11-02T10:25:00.003-07:002013-11-08T10:26:19.118-08:00A Reflection: Lives Lost, Life Given<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">I completed my hunters’ safety
course this past week (when in Maine…!). I look forward to joining another
church member during deer hunting season, spending some time in the woods and
perhaps getting a deer.</span></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">But I don’t know how I will feel
about taking an animal’s life. I have always loved animals—dogs, rabbits,
chickens, snakes, turtles, even insects, rats, and any others. I have sat and
been enthralled as I watched a spider weave its web with precise dimensions and
craftsmanship (did you know that the distance between their threads is so even
because they use the length of their body to space the threads?). When I was
younger, I remember sitting for an hour or more with bird seed around me, still
enough that chickadees landed on my shoulder and chirped in my ear, or
chipmunks chased each other right around me—so close I could feel them brush up
against my side. Have you ever wondered how a slug decides where to go as it
patiently traverses the mountains of moss and twigs on the forest floor? Have
you watched house sparrows taking dust baths under the juniper? Have you seen a
young fawn curled up in the ferns, waiting for its mother?<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The smallest housefly is far more
complex and awe-inspiring than the most advanced computer. And even when we
close our eyes to go to sleep, the insect choruses outside testify that there
are thousands of other creatures living their lives right beside us. God
created each, delights in their life, and provides for them as they are born,
live, and die. And as we come to see how God delights in even the smallest of
creatures, how can we not also pause and wonder and delight when we see a
swallow building its nest or a gray squirrel scolding us from above?<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">And yet God has given us animals
for food (see Genesis 9:3). How can this be? When we shape that beef burger to
go on the grill, or when we take a bite of a bagel with lox, or when the turkey
comes out of the oven on Thanksgiving, we realize that a living creature,
beautiful in God’s design, lost its life. It had to lose its life so we could
eat and live. This was not sterile or clean or nice. That ground beef did not
start in a cellophane wrap with a price tag on it. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Why? <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">This is not an argument for
vegetarianism, and I am not arguing that it’s wrong to take an animal’s life.
But we do see two things: First, each life is precious and has dignity
conferred by its Creator—whether that of the deer seen through a rifle’s scope,
or the Canada geese flying overhead. Taking a life is no casual matter. Second,
the fact that a creature has to lose its life for us to eat is a constant
reminder of the price of sin, and of the grace of God. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">In Leviticus 17, God forbids His
people to eat blood, “F</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">or the life of a creature is in the
blood, and I have given it to you to make atonement for yourselves on the
altar; it is the blood that makes atonement for one’s life.” (v. 11) So
Scripture connects the blood spilled (if not the meat itself) with our healing
and atonement.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Of course, animals’ lives can’t really cover over the
price of our sin, or clean the “damned spot” off of our own hands. But the life
of our Lord, and His blood poured out for us, can and does more than provide
for our complete forgiveness and reconciliation. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">And still, whenever we hunt, or eat a meal for which one
of God’s creature’s died to provide, we are reminded of the price of sin and of
God’s provision. The blood that was spilled should have been our blood, for we
were the ones with blood on our hands. But the story didn’t end that way: The
Son of God gave Himself for us. And just as taking even an animal’s life is no “neat”
or insignificant matter, neither was the cross easy or cheap or sanitary —and yet
in it He washed us clean. Yes, the price of sin was life for life…but for all
who belong to Jesus, the life lost was not ours, by the grace of God.</span></span><span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
Jonathanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04336469561847561234noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8066401421322454462.post-55120438223005119502013-11-02T10:24:00.000-07:002013-11-02T10:25:45.270-07:00November News from Maine<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12pt;">I have started our Ephesians sermon
series, and it’s been going well. However, I think I may have been too
ambitious with the size of the passages I chose…one verse of Ephesians could be
a whole sermon, and some of my passages are over 15 verses. There is so much packed
into Ephesians, so the sermon series may end up extending longer than
originally planned.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">We’ve also started our Sunday
School class on “Culture and God’s Word.” Last week we discussed an Old Spice
ad entitled “Believe in Yoursmelf” and discussed Scripture passages on self-reliance,
confidence, and reliance on God. Tomorrow we will be watching the ad for the
new “Assassin’s Creed” game (centered around casting off all authority and
bowing to no one), and be discussing passages on freedom and authority. Are we
ever autonomous, or as we seek autonomy from all authority, do we just end up
slaves to our desires? Hopefully through these times, we can grow in
discernment, and we’ve already had some good discussion as we started last
week.<b><o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">The soccer season is over for the
fall, and wrapped up well. After a difficult loss, the team came back and won
their next game, and later for the final game of the season they played the
best they had all season for a well-earned tie. We had a final team dinner, and
it was neat to see how the players had grown through the season (in soccer
skills, but also other ways), and I enjoyed being able to connect further with
the families. I am currently in the process of deciding whether I will help
coach tennis at the same school in the spring, or elsewhere. It's been such a privilege to be able to coach, working with these youth and also getting to know their families and the community. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Thank you all for your interest
and your prayers! </span><b style="font-family: Cambria, serif;"><o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
Jonathanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04336469561847561234noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8066401421322454462.post-75265422588009699332013-10-21T09:22:00.001-07:002013-10-21T09:33:02.261-07:00Community: An Observation and a Question<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
First, community is inconvenient. Or maybe it would be more precise to say
that truly loving others is inconvenient. We start out seeking to encourage Darren—checking
in once in a while to see how he’s doing raising his young son all by himself.
It’s initially on our own terms, and we feel good when he expresses gratitude
for our concern. But there comes that point when he gives a call at 9:30pm, and
we want to watch the Red Sox game instead. Helping him when it fit in our
calendar was one thing; this is another. Thankfully God exposes the selfishness
inherent even in our very acts of service, by allowing love to inconvenience
us. Because when it’s inconvenient, there is potential for the growth of truly
disinterested love. Of course, that doesn’t mean that we won’t establish
healthy boundaries (lest we enable instead of truly helping others), but love
is willing to experience discomfort for another’s good. As long as our acts of
service are purely convenient, there seems to be limited potential for growth
in love.</div>
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<br /></div>
And a question: Do we love Jesus because He gives us community, or do we love community
because we love Jesus? This question is related to the question of whether we
actually love the actual community Christ has given us, or whether we love our
ideal of “community”—and serve God inasmuch as His Church fits into our ideal.
Real community is messy: Christians are not perfect people; we are first called
to be repentant people. Yes, we are given the Holy Spirit, but sanctification
is a bumpy road with lots of twists and turns. So our love for the community of
the Church must be derivative of our confidence in Jesus’ love, and our love
for Him. As Bonheoffer warns in <i>Life Together</i>, our ideals of
community—if they aren’t soon shattered by the reality—can destroy the actual
community around us.Jonathanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04336469561847561234noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8066401421322454462.post-24349502940192544182013-10-16T08:36:00.000-07:002013-10-16T08:36:04.518-07:00October in Maine<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
Some news from the last few weeks at New Hope...</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;">
</div>
<ul>
<li><span style="color: #222222;">As the lead
pastor at New Hope is currently on sabbatical for the next couple months, I
have now stepped into a fuller role--also having been welcomed as a new member
and ordained as an elder at New Hope two weeks ago. I will be preaching all
except one Sunday each month, and am also working with a church member in
leading a men’s Bible study through Genesis.</span></li>
<li><span style="background-color: transparent;">We will begin a new sermon series on Ephesians in a couple weeks, as
well as a new Sunday School class on “Culture and God’s Word.” In this class,
each week we will look at different advertisements or other cultural messages
(such as Sprite’s slogan “Obey your thirst”), and then evaluate it against
Scripture. I hope we can grow in discernment, so that instead of simply
absorbing the messages of the majority culture, we can learn to “take captive
every thought to make it obedient to Christ.” (2 Cor. 10:5b, NIV) Sprite’s
slogan, for instance, reinforces our culture’s tacit assumption that we should first
follow our own desires (“just listen to your heart”), as opposed to being ruled
by God (which is actually the only way we find true freedom). </span></li>
<li><span style="background-color: transparent;">As the soccer coaching season is drawing to a close soon, I am
beginning to look into other options for part-time employment during the
winter. I’m talking to the local tennis club, as well as looking into
springtime coaching positions as well. So far, it’s been refreshing to have
changes</span><span style="background-color: transparent;"> </span><span style="background-color: transparent;">in my focus each day—writing
sermons or visiting in the morning, and then coaching in the afternoon. It’s a
great mix, and opportunity to connect with others in the community!</span></li>
</ul>
<br />
Jonathanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04336469561847561234noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8066401421322454462.post-13238414160062499202013-10-16T08:31:00.003-07:002013-10-16T08:31:19.106-07:00Dependence and Prayer<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">When I was recently ordained as an elder at New Hope (allowing me to
serve in more capacities as Intern Pastor), one of the charges given me was to
“pray continually for the church.” This is a good reminder, and I’m also
grateful for New Hope’s dedicated prayer team, meeting every Wednesday to intercede
for the congregation and its mission.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Prayer is work—and central to all work. In the call to pray, we are
reminded where the power to transform lives ultimately comes from: It’s not our
words or programs or personality that ultimately grow the Church; it’s the
Living God working through us—weak as we are. </span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">And perhaps, as we begin to recognize more and more what it means to be
called to serve in the Church (as any Christian is called to use their gifts),
we will be driven more and more to prayer. We aren’t called just to preach a
skillfully-delivered and amusing sermon, or just to sit in on a meeting and
manage the church’s budget, or just to take an evening and visit someone in the
hospital; in all these activities we are called to point others to the King of
the Universe, God’s own Son, Jesus Christ. </span></div>
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<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">This is rightly intimidating, for we cannot do this on our own ability.
So when we rightly estimate the weight of our calling, we grow in seeing our dependence
on God. And that sense of dependence is fertile soil for prayer. It is
ultimately on God’s shoulders to bring the growth; we are called to dependent faithfulness—expressed
in fervent prayer and obedience. </span></div>
Jonathanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04336469561847561234noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8066401421322454462.post-71547935110688412262013-10-16T08:30:00.001-07:002013-10-16T08:30:16.109-07:00"Stop." (a poem)<div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Stop.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Why once each week</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.5in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Stop.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"> and
rest?</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">After all,</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Letters yet to be answered</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.5in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Litter
the desk in layers;</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Last week’s to-dos swelling,</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.5in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Burst
the banks of yesterday;</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Recent meetings’ action items,</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.5in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Chomping
at the bit;</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">And you would rest?</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.5in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">There’s
work to be done!</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">You would cease?</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.5in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Idle
hands…!</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Why once each week</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"> Stop.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"> and
rest?</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Remember the Sabbath:</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"> Lest you think
that you’re their only answer,</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"> Lest you live forgetting
what’s been Done,</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"> Lest you <i>do</i>,<i>
</i>and doing, neglect to <i>be</i>,</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"> Lest you, always shaping,
scorn the Potter,</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"> Lest you thieve
the throne of God.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">So much left unfinished</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">And yet:</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“It is finished.”</span></div>
</div>
<ul style="color: #222222;">
<li><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; font-size: small; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
</span></li>
</ul>
Jonathanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04336469561847561234noreply@blogger.com0