Pastor Roger's Blog

July 31, 2009

Hi friends,
 
Did you hear about the seven year old boy in Utah who thought it was too hot to go to church last Sunday so he hopped in the family car and drove himself home?  Local police soon spotting him driving through stop signs. They followed the boy on a slow speed ten block chase, which ended as the boy pulled into his driveway.  He hopped out of the car and ran into his house to hide!
 
Too hot for church.  This week we begin our traditional August "Ask Pastor Roger" sermon series.  By popular demand, our sermons this month will be on "The End Times".  I find this to be quite interesting.  Here's why - since the death and ascension of Jesus every generation has been absolutely convinced that they lived in "the end times" and that Jesus was about to return at any time.
 
I also find it interesting that Jesus - as the Son of God - admitted that even He didn't know the time of His return.  Only God the Father knew.  Jesus said that it would come as a surprise - like a thief in the night.  Bottom line - Jesus said that we should live so that we are ready for whatever time He may return. 
 
I am looking forward to this series.  It should be great fun.  Hope you can join us.  We will have the air conditioning on so that it doesn't get too hot!  :)
 
A friend,
Roger 

July 24, 2009

Hi Friends,
 
Any one thirsty?  It's getting warm outside!  When we go out to eat, Ellen's favorite drink is an "Arnold Palmer".  No, it is not  a libation.  It is simply a mix of ice tea and lemonade.  It is a refreshing thirst quencher when in a tall glass chilled with ice cubes on these hot summer days.
 
Can you remember as a kid trying to get a drink on a hot sunny afternoon from the garden hose?  It turned out to be an adventure, especially if one of your brothers was holding the hose for you!  "Here, I'll help", he says!  You ended up with a face full of water so forceful that you could hardly swallow.  It never did much to quench your thirst, did it?
 
This Sunday, July 26th, we complete our series on "Approved" as we study 2 Timothy 4.  Verse 6 of this chapter talks about being poured out like a drink offering.  Sometimes my life feels as if it is being poured carefully, as if filling a glass of ice tea.  At other times my life has felt like it was being poured out as if through a fire hose.  Part of the problem is that I am seldom in control of how my life is being poured out.  Is there a way to live so that we might be poured out to the glory of God?
 
I hope to see you Sunday.  Come thirsty!
 
A friend,
Roger

July 17, 2009

Hi Friends,
 
I am thinking of starting a car dealership.  Not just any car dealership though.  Stop by this Sunday, July 19th, for worship to hear more.  We will have a special guest appearance by Matthew West (via YouTube).  Have you ever felt as if you were simply going through the motions?  You are not alone.  This Sunday we dig into 2 Timothy 3 as the Bible teaches us about the last days and the lives we should live.  And as a part of the message I am going to suggest that we cancel any further Bible studies.  At least until we change our approach to the Bible. The real question is can we handle the Truth (can you hear the echo of Nicholson in A Few Good Men)?
 
Worship this Sunday is going to be awesome.  And best of all, God promises to be with us.  Hope to see you then.
 
A friend,
Roger 

July 10, 2009

Hi Friends,

Whatever your taste in music, most will admit that Michael Jackson was a cultural phenomenon.  Grieving Jackson fans have been holding candlelight vigils at the Neverland Ranch while others were hoping for a ticket to his memorial service.  And we have endured almost non-stop live television coverage of it all.

Andrew Sullivan of the Atlantic Monthly wrote this: “(Michael Jackson) was everything our culture worships; and yet he was desperately unhappy, tortured, afraid and alone”.  Jackson was a creature of our culture, which puts fame and celebrity at its core, with money as its driving force, without regard for the person caught up in it or the character he exhibits.  Jackson achieved the summit of what our culture values most – fame – and paid for it in many ways. 

This past week we read of the murder suicide of a retired star athlete and his girl friend.  Steve McNair was an All-Pro quarterback and MVP.  He was married with four sons.  McNair was highly respected in his community and across the NFL.  But in his death we discover that he had a dark side.  He leaves a grieving wife and four sons who are left to sort out their grief, not only at his loss, but at his secret life.

Life is filled with teaching moments.  What do we really want out of life?  If we are in pursuit of success, then how do we define success?  Whose approval are we seeking?  This Sunday we open our Bibles to 2 Timothy 2:1-7 to look at what is required to know approval in the eyes of God.  Do you know and are you walking the path to your potential in Jesus?

A friend,

Roger

July 3, 2009

Hi Friends,
 
Freedom!  As a veteran I join fellow Americans in celebrating our freedom as a nation.  The weekend will be filled with family and friends gathering for barbecues and firework displays.  This Sunday, July 6th, we will also celebrate our freedom in Jesus as we gather for worship.  We begin a new series called "Approved" as we study 2 Timothy.  This week we are considering the call of God's Word to live life so that we are not ashamed.  And after second service we will be enjoying an all church picnic with games and fun for the entire family.  Enjoy the weekend,
 
A friend,
Roger