Tuesday, April 27, 2010

How great is Providence!!

While normally I blog about sermon and school related or religious topics, I felt like I had to write a little about a couple day trip I took to Providence, Rhode Island last week. I spent 2 day there, and praise God what awesome place. I will say that of all the places I have visited in the USA, Rhode Island is quite possibly my favorite state!

My trip started with a bang last Thursday. I forgot a Swiss Army knife in my back pack from 6 months ago. That said, once security found it at the airport, they tossed the entire contents of my back pack and carry on. Oh well, and inconvenience yes...but safe and secure is what I prefer. I do miss my knife though. Also, about an hour after we landed, out of no where we had a straight up 2012 type storm: lightening, heavy rain, and hail that literally covered every square inch of ground. 20 minutes later it was sunny. How odd?

So this was a work trip, but besides multiple meetings and appointments, Providence and Newport are absolutely spectacular!! Roger Williams founded Rhode Island as he left Boston in search of religious freedom. And that legacy can be seen with spectacular old churches, great early colonial architecture everywhere, and extremely friendly people.

From a food standpoint, this was the best travel I have ever had. Our hotel was located at the entrance of Federal Hill, which is Providence's Little Italy. We had lunch at Angelo's Civita Farnese. I had Calamari as an appetizer and Tripe as my entree. Th Calamari was good, but the tripe was absolutely the bomb. It was just like eating at my mom's. Capped it off with a home made Zeppole and an espresso.

Providence also has a HUGE Greek population, which was news to me. That night we at nearly on campus at Brown University at a Greek eatery called Andreas. Absolutely a great meal!! For appetizer's we had Sopetika (which is flam bayed mozzarella cheese in brandy), Baked Feta, and grilled octopus. For my main course I had Greek Souvlaki, and capped it off with a Greek coffee. Really good stuff.

On Friday we were in Newport, which is a port city, and I was ready for some seafood. We went to place near the fish market called Chopmist Charlie's. No lie, I think I ate the greatest meal of my entire life in this place. I had a cup of clear broth Rhode Island Clam Chowder, probably the best soup I have ever had; followed by homemade clam cakes (which are basically hush puppies loaded up with fresh clams); and for my main meal I had fried fully belly clams. I have never had a fully belly clam. The best way to describe it is as a clam strip on steroids. Huge, full clams loaded with fresh flavor. Seriously outstanding.

We left later that afternoon, but what a nice place to visit. I plan on going back very soon. To tie this in somewhat to my faith. It is amazing how we live in the USA, all the same country, but you can go to Las Vegas, or Dallas, or Minneappolis, or New York, or Providence and experience in each a different aspect of the creation of God. Wonderful, wonderful stuff.

Friday, April 23, 2010

Credentials of a Committed Christian

I have been working on my sermon for this week and found it to be very enjoyable and Spirit led. Below is a little snippet from the sermon, I'll be preaching out of II Corinthians 11.

...Former Los Angeles Dodgers manager and baseball great Tommy Lasorda, a great Italian-American by the way, describes his battle with bad habits: "I took a pack of cigarettes from my pocket, stared at it and said, ‘Who’s stronger, you or me?’ The answer was me. I stopped smoking.

"Then I took a vodka martini and said to it, ‘Who’s stronger, you or me?’ Again the answer was me. I quit drinking.

"Then I went on a diet. I looked at a big plate of linguini with clam sauce and said, ‘Who’s stronger, you or me?’ And a little clam looked up at me and answered, ‘I am.’ I can’t beat linguini."

Brothers and sisters, it’s hard to hide who we are and what we are. Our habits, actions, behavior tell on us. We think we are this and that, but others see us as we really are. It’s hard to hide who we really are.

I came across a poem titled "You Tell On Yourself"
You tell on yourself by the friends you seek,By the very manner in which you speak,By the way you employ your leisure time, By the use you make of dollar and dime.

You tell what you are by the things you wear, By the spirit in which you your burdens bear.By the kind of things at which you laugh.By the records you play on the phonograph.

You tell what you are by the way you walk,By the things of which you delight to talk,By the manner in which you bear defeat,By so simple a thing as how you eat.

By the books you choose from the well-filled shelf,By these ways and more, you tell on yourself.So there’s really no particle of sense In an effort to keep up false pretense.

You see, everything about us, tells about us. But the good thing is this: no matter who we are or what we are, the Lord can change us and make us better! Amen!!II Cor. 5:17 "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old has gone, the new has come!"In our text, let’s examine some credentials of a committed Christian and see how we stack up.
1- Honest dealings
2- Painful sacrifices
3- Stressful concerns

Monday, April 19, 2010

I have a busy schedule, but...

I haven’t written in my blog lately, and no wonder…I have an extremely busy schedule, which leads to my thoughts for today. I have been blessed with much in my life: a great wife, 4 wonderful children, a challenging and rewarding job, and a ministry that is in it’s infancy. I do a lot, no question. Besides my full-time and part-time jobs, and being an Assistant Pastor, I also: coach my daughter’s soccer and softball teams, I am a Cub Scout Den Leader, and I am in school finishing up my seminary program. I tend to my yard and flowerbeds, and I also have a large garden I plant and tend too. It’s a lot right? But consider this, Luke 12:48 states that “to whom much is given, much is expected”. So, how can I do any less.

· My wife and children are a tremendous blessing. I owe it to them to do all that I can, whenever I can, for them. I have been given much.
· My job is a tremendous blessing. I have been given much.
· Our ministry at Turning Point and my seminary work is a tremendous blessing. I have been given much.

Many people say to me “I don’t know how you do it.” , or “When do you sleep?”, or “When do you have time for yourself?”. All good questions, but in light of my blessings and of the direct command from Jesus in scripture my answer back to that is: how can I do any less if I accept God’s Word as the authority in my life?

Don’t get me wrong, I have my hobbies and I do try to make a little time for myself wherever I can squeeze it in. But I cannot imagine the selfishness needed to say, “Thanks for my blessings Lord, but I really need to worry about my needs first.” The Lord did not do this for me or you. Just like the story in Luke 12, the Lord wants us to take our blessing and multiply them. Why would I have a great family, or a great job, or a great home and squander the opportunity before me by placing myself first? Would I rather go golfing on the weekends, or target shooting, or on weekend trips, or to ball games... absolutely, who wouldn't? But lets continue to understand scripture on this topic.

In 2 Cor 4:7, Paul reminds us that we hold our treasure (the Light of Christ) in clay vessels. That is somewhat pourus, somewhat cracked. That light must shine through us. Paul goes on in Philippians 2 to state that we who have the light of Christ should shine like stars in the darkness.

Think back to your history books and old movies to when all portable lights were candles and torches. In order to be effective they were carried out in front, and up high, in order to light the way. The fire they gave, that light, led the way into the darkness. That is the way we should be with our light, our blessings: out in front, up high, an example to be followed. Any less does a disservice to the blessings given to us by Christ.

I am at the point with the kids activities that I only have Tuesday nights and some Sunday afternoons with any free. Yes, I have been given much and much is expected. I pray for strength, I pray for rest, I pray for the enthusiasm needed to carry out my responsibilities. Knowing that at the end of the day, tired as I may be, the words “I love you daddy” or “Well done good and faithful servant” will more than make up for the time I missed golfing.

Thursday, April 8, 2010

This week's sermon: 1 Tim 4- Being Spiritually Fit!

Here is a little snippet from the sermon I have been working on this week:

First Timothy 4:7-8 says:7Have nothing to do with godless myths and old wives' tales; rather, train yourself to be godly. 8For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come. 1 Tim. 4:7-8

I like how the Phillips translation states verse seven:“Take the time and the trouble to keep yourself spiritually fit.”1 Timothy 4:7 (Phillips Translation)

In other words, it’s good to be physically fit, and it’s even better to be spiritually fit. But just how do you get spiritually fit? Funny, but I haven’t seen too many “infomercials” on spiritual fitness. Hey, who knows? Maybe we’re on to something here! We could develop some training videos on spiritual fitness: · “Real World/Lord Rules Challenge”· “Dance Your Sin Off”What does it mean to be “Spiritually Fit”? And how do you get there? Well, I don’t think it’s that difficult. In fact, I would like to suggest a very simple approach. And although I don’t plan on developing an “infomercial” any time soon, I think the following 3 steps can help you get spiritually fit.

Three Steps to Spiritual Fitness

(1) Spiritual Fitness Requires the proper Spiritual Nutrition.Just as the body needs the proper daily nourishment of food, spiritual fitness requires the proper daily nourishment of spiritual food. In Matthew 4:4 Jesus stated:4 "It is written: 'Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.'" Matthew 4:4In other words, man is more than just a physical being. He is a spiritual being as well as a physical being. And just as the physical side of him needs nourishment, so does the spiritual nature.In the Old Testament there is a story about how God miraculously provided food for the Israelites during their forty year journey from their slavery in Egypt to their entering the promised land.

11The LORD said to Moses, 12"I have heard the grumbling of the Israelites. Tell them, 'At twilight you will eat meat, and in the morning you will be filled with bread. Then you will know that I am the LORD your God.' " 13That evening quail came and covered the camp, and in the morning there was a layer of dew around the camp. 14When the dew was gone, thin flakes like frost on the ground appeared on the desert floor. 15When the Israelites saw it, they said to each other, "What is it?" For they did not know what it was.Moses said to them, "It is the bread the LORD has given you to eat. 16This is what the LORD has commanded: 'Each one is to gather as much as he needs. Take an omer for each person you have in your tent.' " 17The Israelites did as they were told; some gathered much, some little. 18And when they measured it by the omer, he who gathered much did not have too much, and he who gathered little did not have too little. Each one gathered as much as he needed. 19Then Moses said to them, "No one is to keep any of it until morning." 20However, some of them paid no attention to Moses; they kept part of it until morning, but it was full of maggots and began to smell. So Moses was angry with them. 21Each morning everyone gathered as much as he needed, and when the sun grew hot, it melted away. 22On the sixth day, they gathered twice as much--two omers for each person--and the leaders of the community came and reported this to Moses. 23He said to them, "This is what the LORD commanded: 'Tomorrow is to be a day of rest, a holy Sabbath to the LORD. So bake what you want to bake and boil what you want to boil. Save whatever is left and keep it until morning.' " 24So they saved it until morning, as Moses commanded, and it did not stink or get maggots in it. 25"Eat it today," Moses said, "because today is a Sabbath to the LORD. You will not find any of it on the ground today. 26Six days you are to gather it, but on the seventh day, the Sabbath, there will not be any." 27Nevertheless, some of the people went out on the seventh day to gather it, but they found none. 28Then the LORD said to Moses, "How long will you refuse to keep my commands and my instructions? 29Bear in mind that the LORD has given you the Sabbath; that is why on the sixth day he gives you bread for two days. Everyone is to stay where he is on the seventh day; no one is to go out." 30So the people rested on the seventh day. 31The people of Israel called the bread manna. It was white like coriander seed and tasted like wafers made with honey. Exodus 16:11-35

Notice some of the stipulations on the Manna or the “Bread of God that came down from heaven”:(1) It was to be gathered once a day.(2) It was to be consumed for that day and not to be kept over … it would spoil if kept.(3) On the sixth day, they were to gather twice as much for the Sabbath.In the New Testament, Jesus referred to this manna while talking to some religious leaders:

This is still a work in progress, but this is the way the Lord has been leading me this week. Hope to see some of you Sunday for the full sermon!!

Saturday, April 3, 2010

Reflections on my Good Friday trip to COSI

I spent a wonderful couple of days in Columbus with my family. Sally turned 10 on Friday, and since the kids were on break we decided to take a couple days and go to COSI. I took some time off of work and we went.

I thoroughly enjoyed the time off to rest and refresh. It was nice too to be able to share with the kids the meaning the Good Friday as we enjoyed our time together at the hotel and at COSI. A couple of random thoughts:
  • COSI is an absolutely marvelous Science Center. Probably the best I have ever seen. We were there nearly the entire time they were open and only saw about half of the attractions.
  • The Titanic exhibit is one of the best done and touching exhibits I have ever seen. What a feeling to see parts of the ship, items off of the ship, the actual clothes some of the victims and survivors were wearing. Touching, really.
  • Why is it that every time we take the kids somewhere there is always and older woman (50ish), wearing a fanny pack and lots of silver and turquoise jewelery that is really uptight and cranky standing right near us? I mean really...I see this EVERYWHERE we go. What gives?
  • The 7 story movie was unreal. We saw a 3D movie on Whales and Dolphins. Excellent. The kids were reaching out to touch the animals it was so good. Which leads to my last point.
  • Why do environmental activists have to ruin everything? Throughout the whole movie I heard the voice of Darryl Hannah talking about how man has destroyed and and is wiping out all of the creatures in the sea. It ends with this, and I quote, "We can stop vandalizing and plundering the oceans, it's not too late." Really? This is the message my kids need to get that man is destroying the oceans. Come on, there is a time and a place for everything, and this is not it (in my opinion). Plus, does Darryl Hannah's roles on "Roxanne" and "Splash" qualify her to lecture me about the oceans?

Overall, and absolutely awesome day. I got our family the yearly membership, so we will be going back soon. For those who want to see it, God has blessed us with a tremendous world and a beautiful creation to be in charge of. To that end, it is wonderful to see what man has been able to do (good and bad) with the facilities that the Lord has provided.