Finding the Soil...

“Anyone can count the seeds in an apple, but only God can count the number of apples in a seed.”

RoberH. Schuller (Theologian)

Seeds are a miraculous thing. From this teeny tiny speck, a flower or a plant or a great tree will grow. Everything that grows in the ground starts from a seed. But unfortunately, not every seed grows.

Jesus shares a parable with his followers about some seeds. The seeds were thrown by a farmer as he walked along. Some of the seeds fell on along the path, some in shallow soil, some amongst the thorns and some in good soil. The seeds which fell on the path were snatched up by the birds and the seeds which fell on the shallow soil shot up quickly, but were burned by the sun. The seeds which fell amongst the thorns grew, but were quickly choked out by the thorny bushes. But the seeds which fell in the good soil grew and flourished, producing much fruit.

This parable is an image of how different people will perceive the Gospel.

 Some fell along the path...Some people completely ignore the message of hope and love of Jesus. They are like the seeds which fell on the path. They have hard hearts towards God and choose to live their lives for worldly pleasures rather than opening up to what God has to offer them. They have closed hearts and closed ears. And yet, we are called to love them in spite of our differences. You may not be able to change the person of the hardened path, but you can still share God's love with him or her.
 

Some fell on rocky places, where it did not have much soil... Sometimes, when we share the Gospel message with someone they are on fire with the love of Christ. This person will go out and buy the t-shirt, the bumper sticker, and the necklace, professing a 180 degree life change, but the changes are only surface deep. This person is like the seed which falls on rocky or shallow ground - he or she gets a taste of the love of Jesus and is excited about the high of the unconditional grace offered, but when it comes time to truly change his or her life - to turn away from the path he or she has been following - this person can't let go and the enthusiasm once felt for Jesus withers and fades. And just like our friend with the hardened heart, we are called to love the people whose faith is shallow - not to judge them.

 Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up and choked the plants, so that they did not bear grain....Life is hard and as human beings we face man obstacles. These obstacles can bend and nearly break us for the difficulties they present. This is what happens to those who are like the seeds which fell amongst the thorns. People can and will allow their trials in life, or the pressures of others around them to choke out the life giving love of Christ. This is a choice. They have chosen to allow the pain of the world to override the peace offered by Jesus. At times, you might empathize with someone in this situation; maybe you have felt like giving up or giving in a time or two. Empathy is good...it will help you to love these persons and try and share the light that Christ offers through the darkness of the thorns.

Still other seed fell on good soil. It came up, grew and produced a crop, some multiplying thirty, some sixty, some a hundred times... This is who we want to be as Christians. Creating good soil in which our seeds can grow begins with our commitment to Christ. We must put Him first, every day. By focusing our hearts and minds on Him we will begin to nourish our soil in His life giving light. We next need to fertilize the soil through the study of His word and His teaching. This fertilizer will help our seeds grow stronger and fuller - producing more fruit. And finally our seeds need to be planted by other seeds in like soil. We need the support and encouragement of other Christians to help us grow and weather the storms of life. 

Seeds are life giving, but they can only grow with the right nourishment. Begin by tending your soil and then look for opportunities to help others to grow.

Scripture

 (click on the link below...not surprising it is the parable of the soils)

Mark 4:3-20 (NIV)

Fun Fact:

The most grown crop in the world is wheat as it is cultivated in all continents except Antarctica. Rice is second. Corn is Third. Potatoes and bananas are numbered four.

So, I guess if you want to bake some bread in Antarctica - you are going to have to bring the flour with you....

Quote
We need to find God, and he cannot be found in noise and restlessness. God is the friend of silence. See how nature - trees, flowers, grass- grows in silence; see the stars, the moon and the sun, how they move in silence... We need silence to be able to touch souls.
Mother Teresa

GUMY Challenge
Answer: Clue #13 - Jesus's last words on the cross were: "It is finished"

Clue #14 (LAST CLUE): What is the smallest seed that grows into a bush on the planet?
Hint: Jesus said it was like the Kingdom of Heaven. (And it is used to make a condiment for Hot Dogs....)

Only two more weeks until GUMY kick off ....be sure to be collecting your answers...you will need them on September 22nd!
 

 

Foundation of Relationships

Truth is an essential building block in any relationship. When we start with a foundation of truth, we build a solid house which can withstand any storm life might thrust upon our relationships. Through truth based relationships we have trust and honesty which are the pathways to deep and abiding love – the place where we all long to live.


However, if we begin our relationships with lies and deceit, we build a relationship that has a weak foundation filled with holes and unreliability. Houses are condemned when there foundation is determined to be unsafe. The same is true for relationships which start with lies and untruths. 

 We all want to enhance ourselves – show the best side of who we are – but lying to do so will only find you in a desperate race against discovery. With each lie and half-truth, you will be forced to develop a plausible story to support your shaky house. Even if you start being honest – sharing the whole truth at some point in your relationship – the foundation will always be unsure; it may be able to be shored up and renewed but it will take twice the effort to rebuild as it would have taken to simple build the foundation correctly on the initial try.

 And what happens when we try to lie to God about who we are? Or how about if we lie to ourselves?


God knows who we are – inside and out – the good, the bad, the ugly, the lies and the truth. God knows about everything and yet…He still loves each of us. He loves us so much that 2000 years ago He sent His Only Son to die on a cross so that He could be in a relationship with you…He loves you that much. He started the foundation of your relationship with Him in pure honest love and open armed truth; talk about a strong foundation.


Imagine if you went into every relationship in your life being open and honest about who you are…Because Whose you are is quite special and amazing. Before you try and make yourself sound better, remember that you are a child of God. What could possibly be a better endorsement?

 Scripture Reference (click below)

Matthew 7:24-28

Fun Fact of the Day…

The door at 10 Downing Street (where the British Prime Minister lives) can only be opened from the inside. 

Question of the day…


What is your favorite thing about yourself? (Brag Away!!!)



(Answer below in the COMMENTS section….)



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Have No Fear...Jesus is Near

 “I, even I, am he who comforts you. Who are you that you fear mere mortals, ...that you forget the LORD your Maker, ...For I am the LORD your God, ...'You are my people.’”

Isaiah 51:12-16 (full passage)

"Only Thing We Have to Fear Is Fear Itself"

Franklin D. Roosevelt

Fears. We all have them and in the modern world of psychology every fear has a known name. Have a fear of spiders? You are arachniphobic. Have a fear of heights? You are acrophobic. Have a fear of tests? You are testophobic (really). We have named, claimed and accepted our fears, almost to the point of pride, but why?

Why in a time and place when there are endless opportunities to try new things, discover new concepts, live each moment to the fullest do we want to stay bound by our fears?

Fears limit our life. If you allow a fear of heights to determine your future you will never climb a mountain, ride a roller coaster, stand at the top of the Grand Canyon, or enjoy the beauty of Tuscany from the top of the Duo mo Cathedral. If you allow your fear of spiders to control you, then you will not go hiking, enjoy nature or go into a basement. And how about that fear of tests? If you are too afraid to take tests you won't graduate high school, go on to college, become a doctor, a lawyer, a firefighter, a police officer, a teacher or apply for countless other jobs.

By giving into fears, we tell God that there is something, we believe in our hearts, that is bigger than He is. Our fears override God's sovereignty in our lives and we forget He has overcome the world for us...could He not handle a spider? or a test? or a little mountain?

What are you afraid of?

Whatever it is - take it to Jesus. Give your fears over to Him and allow Him to heal that part of you that is afraid.

This isn't easy. We are human and we have faults, failings and doubts, but we are also a people of faith. Faith means trusting in what we cannot see. By going to Jesus with our fears, we trust that through His power, not ours, He can transform our hearts, minds and souls; making us courageous.

We cannot overcome our fears....but Jesus can.

Jesus is near and He wants you, and I, to let go of the fears which paralyze us and keep us from obedience to Him. Allow Jesus to give you the gift of peace and freedom from the fears which bind you and keep you from living life to the fullest.

Have no fear...Jesus is near!

Interesting Fact

The term phobia, from the Greek φόβος meaning "fear," is a strong, persistent, and irrational fear or anxiety of certain situations, objects, activities, or persons....There exist more than 600 recognized phobias, many without treatment.

And all they need is Jesus...He's the best treatment around.

Question of the Day

Okay...so we already had this question...but I thought I would try again....

Who is your favorite Superhero? And Why?

Don't forget...if you would like to comment and you don't have a log in...simply click on the "envelope" by the comment section and when the box appears you can use the drop down box and sign in under Anonymous or Name/URL (you only need to fill out the name not the URL). And then write your comment in the comment box and submit. I would love to hear from you!

You Complete Me....

You have searched me, LORD,
and you know me.

(Psalm 139:1)

In 1996, the movie Jerry Maguire hit the theaters and was an instant romantic classic. The story had everything...a main character with enormous flaws, a sidekick with perfect comedic timing, a beautiful ingenue with a heart of gold and a cute kid - age 5. This movie left our country with a classic movie line which has been quoted innumerable times, "You complete me..."

You complete me. What a beautiful romantic thought? One person's love filling up another person making each complete beings. A perfect ending to a perfect romantic movie - and Hollywood had it partially right...we are incomplete beings looking for a wholeness in life. But, where Hollywood missed the mark is implying the completeness we seek can be found in another person. Completeness can only be found in Christ.

Too often in our culture people seek out all sorts of things to try and fill up the hole they have in their heart. People try and fill the holes with shopping and food; alcohol and drugs; books and magazines; and yes, other people. But no amount of filling one's self up with outside things, people or places will be able to fill the hole that is in the heart. Only Jesus can fill that space, because it was a spot designed for Him right from the beginning of your life. 

Jesus takes His rightful place in our hearts the moment we turn to Him and seek Him as our Savior. Through that acceptance, the broken, holey places in our hearts are healed and filled with His love.

There is a God shaped hole in every heart - - and only He can make you whole.

Turn to the Lord and seek Him to complete you....And He will open His arms to you and say:

"You had Me at hello..."

Scripture (click on the link below):

Psalm 139 (NIV)

Fun Fact:

No fun fact today...just two YouTube clips....enjoy

Jerry Maguire

God Shaped Hole - Plumb

Question of the Day:

What is your favorite kind of doughnut? (get it - doughnut "hole" ;) )

1 Day...Everything Changes in One Day

One day...Twenty-four hours....

We don't think much about what happens in a day. The average person lives more than 28,000 days in life, so what is so special about - one day?

On this day, September 17th, in history the following things occurred:

• Poland was overtaken by the Soviet Union during WWII and would remain an occupied territory throughout WWII and an oppressed nation of Eastern Europe until the late 1980's nearly fifty years later.
• On this day in 2001, the Stock Market reopened after the tragedy of 9/11.
• In 1978, the Camp David Accords were signed leading to a tentative peace in the Middle East
• In 1873, 19 students attended the first class at The Ohio State University.
• And, on this day in 1787 the US Congress adopted the US Constitution...changing the course of how our country would be governed for over 200 years.

Today is not just "one day", nor is tomorrow.

Something happens every day and everything can happen in just one day.

Maybe you will meet someone today who will be the best friend of your life, or maybe someone you know will have a baby and a new life will begin. Maybe a tragedy will occur or maybe a celebration.

One day can change the course of your life. In fact, one day will change the course of your life; and more than likely several one days will transform your life. What you do with your one days is what matters.

You have the chance to spend this one day creating something great - living out loud for Christ and His purpose. You have the chance to positively react to something which is negatively impacting you.

And one day, Jesus will come. He will catch up His believers and carry us to Heaven to be with Him. We do not know when that one day will be, but it is our opportunity and our challenge to make each one day between now and then count; to live with the fire of Christ burning in us.

On this one day you can change a life... will it be yours?

Scripture (click the link below)

2 Peter 3:3-18

If you could do ANYTHING today...what would it be...and why?

Fun Fact...GUMY Top Ten Memories...

#1....The people....

My number one memory from GUMY is a blend...it is of all of the leaders and students who have been woven through the ministry over the last twenty plus years - since I was in middle school.

I think about Kevin Teeters and him driving three eighth grade girls four hours to Kentucky...or about Joyce Galbraith and her willingness to teach a middle school Sunday School Class. I remember Danny Howser being a willing servant and the countless adults who made youth important when I was young.

I think about Kathryn and Jack whose ministry changed my life. I think about Jeff and our friendship and how we accepted Christ at the same time. I remember Mandy and how friends who met at four years old have a bond thirty years strong.

I remember the first youth meeting I attended as a leader with Amy & Jeff & Libby and we had Erik, Jessica & Jenny as our GUMY's and how they were the foundation from which great things blossomed. I think about my parents, Larry & Jean Ann and their willingness to step up and teach a group of high school kids on Sunday mornings. And I think about Keith and Vicki and that you can never go on a camping trip without either of them (Keith can make anything with a pocket knife and some duct tape...). I think about Libby and the years it was just the two of us. And I remember Hannah and Haley coming to the parking lot to look for my car to come to youth group. I remember Michelle, Tiffany, Danielle, April, Jeremy, Ben, Becka, Whitney, Nicki and  Crissy, and their desire to learn and their decisions to follow Jesus. I remember Sarah's willingness to get up and dance and show her love for Jesus in the midst of the Columbine tragedy.

I think about the revival God is creating now in our church. I think about Zoe and Kendra and the beautiful friendship God has blessed there. And I think about Luke and his desire to share his church and his faith with his friends.I think about Logan and his great desire to do the right thing. I think about Gavin and his insight; Katie and her joy and her contagious enthusiasm; Margaret and her smile and love for people; Jamie and her sweet presence; Kaleigh and her unfiltered love of life; Audrey and her commitment and willingness to try new things; I think about Chris and his desire to help and to create; I think about Harry and his pure vision of Jesus. And I think about Alex and how awesome it is to share this experience with my nephew and to watch him grow in his faith. I think about the number of youth who have come one or two times but have touched my heart in numerous ways.

I am so thankful for the adult leadership who have stepped up to serve: For my sister Jennifer who will do anything to get the word out about GUMY and help in any capacity to make sure it is a success; For Paige and her willingness to be a leader and her passion for making youth a priority in our church; for Kathi and her desire to make sure we have as many people involved as possible; for all of our listeners: Nora, Mike, Mark, Bob, Kelly, Jim, Jim & Rikki...and the dozen more who signed up this year. I am thankful for our meal preparers: Jen, Paige, Kathi, Margie, Larry & Patty...and the dozens who sign up for this year!

And I am thankful the parents, over the last decade plus, who have had the faith to trust us with their children for a few hours a week to share the Gospel. And I am particularly thankful for my parents who have given tireless hours of support to make this program a success.

But most important, I am thankful to God for how He knit this community of people together in a tapestry. I am amazed each day by how much love and support encompasses the youth program at GUMC. I am humbled to be a part of such an active ministry for Jesus and so very grateful for the opportunity to serve.

I can't wait for tomorrow!