Ethiopia: Tuesday January 31, 5:15 AM Texas: Monday January 30, 8:15 AM

We are in Woliso, a small rural community in the Guragy Zone, like a county, in the western region of Ethiopia. There is no wi-fi  and cell phone service is extremely sporadic. The electrical voltage fluctuates from zero to great surges that creating havoc and great risk for any sensitive technological equipment. Lisa plugged in a surge protector and it was instantly fried.  There are limited television stations, including the familiar CNN, but their broadcast has a much different slant, focusing on Europe, China, the Middle East and Africa.

It is strange not being able to turn on my computer and instantly connect with the world. I tried sending Dallas a text but it would not go through.  My I powerful I phone has  been  reduced most of the time to a watch.

Being unplugged has its virtues. I laid in bed reading the Word and listening for God’s voice for over an hour. I received confirmation from the Holy Spirit while reading Psalm 111 that I was exactly where I needed to be at this point in time and so was the entire St. Mathew team. It is hard being away from the family and church body that you love so much and I greatly miss being connected to you, but I remain steadfast in my conviction that God has sent us to this land for a purpose. I do not have a clear vision of the Big Picture, but I trust the One who does and just want us to be obedient to him today.

Today, we will begin training 50 rural pastors and their wives in the concept of being a Missional Church.  Claudia, Leigh Ann and Melissa will teach the women,  I will share with the men, Lisa Latham will record the sessions and interview various participants so we can share what God is doing through your Birthday Gift to Jesus.

One story.  We visited the training sites yesterday afternoon and was a little taken back. Last years training was in a hotel, not what you and I are used to, but there were bathrooms with running water and class room facilities with power to support computer power point presentations. That is not the case at this site.  All of our planed teaching aids were quickly deemed useless. We were not discouraged, but each scrambling to discern how we were going to communicate the lessons God had laid upon our hearts. About that time a sea of children engulfed us. They spoke no English. We spoke no Amharic.  But in less than a minute we bonded. They played with us, laughed with us, took our hands and walked with us. We bonded. We communicated. Each of us walked away knowing that power point or no power point, God would provide the Holy Spirit and everyone would understand. Not what we wanted to say, but what God wanted them to hear.

We have an amazing God. 

On Mission - Monday, Janurary 30, 2012

"Here there is no Greek or Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave or free, but Christ is all and in all. Therefore as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues, put on love which binds them all together in perfect unity." Colossians 3:11-14

As I read Paul’s letter to the Colossians this morning the above passage stood out.  While traveling to the "ends of the earth" as your ambassador I was intrigued by unique sea of faces that we encountered.  There were different shapes, features, colors and sizes.  The appearance of every person triggered responses in my own nervous system, caution, curiosity, interest, indifference.   Some were inviting others standoffish, some engaging but most had a wall up that said "don't talk to me."  Many laughed, smiled and moved about with a confidence but the majority looked, moved, spoke as if on auto pilot.  Aimlessly marching through life.

As I observed the broad spectrum of humanity, I became aware once again that despite all of our differences, we are all the same. We are all made in the image of God. We are all broken people. We are all members of a sinful humanity. We all  have the same Father, the same Creator.  And that Jesus, the Son of our Father, died on the cross for every single one of us.

 I have known and believed that for a long time,  but it struck me in a quite different way as I observed the sea of humanity all traveling to various parts of the "ends of the earth."   And as I now reflect now upon the wide range of people that I bumped into, sat beside, raced past, stood in line with, flied with, did I see them through the eyes of Jesus and did they see Jesus in me?

It is easy to come to church and love the people sitting around us, at least most of time it is, but it is a whole other thing to love the broad spectrum of people that make up the world like Jesus did and does.  Today, will try to live out Paul's charge to the Colossian church and  I invite you to the same.  With the help of the Holy Spirit, maybe we really can help change the world, one person at a time.

Peace,
Rick 

The Charcter of John 3:16

“For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son,

that whosoever believes in him will not perish

but have ever lasting life. “

John 3:16

John 3:16 is the most famous verse in the Bible, known by believers and unbelievers alike. It is plastered on billboards, websites, t-shirts, jewelry and bathroom walls. It is everywhere except where it matters most, in our character.

John 3:16 is not a secret password to be repeated before entering into heaven. Neither is it an I.D. to be carried in our purse or pocket so we can get out of speeding tickets or a discount from a sister Christian. John 3:16 reveals the very character of God himself and it identifies those traits that will be found in us as we become more and more like Jesus.

“For God so loved the world that he gave…….” We are never more like God than when we love and when we give. I think that is why I love Christmas. Men, please don’t take away my man card, but one of my simple pleasures is to slip off and spend the whole day shopping for Dallas. Yes, you heard me, I like shopping for my wife! Listen again men….I don’t like shopping…... I like shopping for Dallas, for my wife. Why?

“For God so loved the world that he gave….” Those two words, loving and giving, go together. You can’t love without giving, and it is not really a ‘gift’ unless offered in love. I remember on Christmas morning the happiest people around the tree were not me and my sisters, but my parents. Why? Parents love to give to their children.

“For God so loved the world that he gave....” It is in God’s character to give. God gives because God loves. And when we give in love, we are like God. There are millions of people around the world who are longing to be loved. They just want to know that they matter, that someone cares, that they are not an accident. Some are lost, some are calloused, some are hurting, but all of them need love. Some are lonely, some are wealthy, some are poor, but all of them need love.

“For God so loved the world that he gave….” Giving is not about impressing, reciprocating or investing, it is about loving. Who do you love? How do you love? Do you love?

“For God so loved the world that he gave….” When we assemble in worship and give our offering, it is not about budget or bills, it is about a living, concrete demonstration of our love for God and what matters to God. And for some reason, the lost, the least and the poor really matter to God.

“For God so loved the world that he gave…” As you begin your Christmas shopping, please remember whose birthday we are celebrating and why God sent his Son. He came in large part to teach us how to love. Buy for your kids. Enjoy all the sights, sounds and smells of Christmas. Give to each other with generous hearts, but please remember the heart and character of God and for whom God sent his Son. He came so that whoever believes in him, especially the least and the lost, would not perish but have everlasting life.

“For God so loved the world that he gave…….” Our challenge and opportunity is for every household to match the dollars we spend on each other and give it to Jesus on his birthday. . The hope is that every household will place $1000 in the cradle on Christmas Eve so the least and the lost near and far, at home and in Ethiopia will have no doubt……“For God so loved the world, that he gave…………………”

Peace,
Rick

"Off to a Great Start"

Our “EPIC” fall message series is "Off to a Great Start." I am thrilled at the number of you bringing your bibles to worship and digging into the Word. You are growing church and I am proud of you. A part of spiritual growth is sharing your faith story and inviting others to join you for worship, small group or any other ministry in which you participate. Please take seriously the charge to “share the love and grace of Jesus Christ with as many people as you can.” God uses persons to lead people into a relationship with Jesus. Let’s all step out there and help Jesus go viral by spreading the word that lives are being changed, the blind can see and the lame are walking.

293 people, a record number, ran in the 19th Annual Harvest Run. Thank you Dave Madden, our resident marathon expert, for leading over 200 servants and executing the plan with excellence. $3,604 was raised for the Harvest House. And thanks to fourteen awesome sponsors, $5,018.90 was  raised for the purpose of hosting a community event for children.

Way to go St. Matthew! We are "Off to a Great Start!"

Alsbury Animal Hospital                  Mark Bernhard, MD - Texas Health
Mike Carlson Motor Co.                Cook Children's                  
Donnelly Construction                      Huffman Aviation, LLC

Gilco Contracting, Inc.                     Pathway Com-Tel
Huguley Memorial Medical Center  
McClendon Construction Co. Inc.    Orr & Associates      
Regency Office and Promotional Products

Star Group Newspapers                  Jerry Wood, Attorney at Law

Mark your calendars! The fortieth birthday celebration of St. Matthew begins October 12 with prayer, community thank you's, service projects, DVD testimonials and a big Celebration on November 20th at 5:32 pm. Ray and Maggie Kramer have called out an enthusiastic “party” planning team and they are ready to help us give God some praise for 40 great years. Keep your ears and eyes open and join the fun as we celebrate our grace filled history and prepare to embrace the incredible future God has planned.  After forty years we are "Off to a Great Start" but we have only just begun!

In the blink of an eye Christmas and New Years will be upon us. I will blog again next week and give you the important dates and times so you can plan accordingly. Please be praying and saving up for our Birthday Gift to Jesus. Over the course of 6 years, that offering has resourced many Jesus miracles. From the Night Shelter, to Mexico to Myanmar , South Korea and Ethiopia, the good news of Jesus has been spread through your Christmas offering. You will hear more soon on the use of this years offering. For now, pray, plan and save so that we can complete the work God has “sent” us to do. We are "Off to a Great Start" but the best is yet to come!

See you in worship,
Rick

Developing and Growing Your Marriage

1. Have a personal growth plan.

Growing in a relationship has nothing to do with engagements and weddings. Ask yourself some simple questions. Do I like to grow? Do I like to read? Do I like to learn? Do I like to study? Do I like to develop?

If you answered most of the questions “Yes”, make sure you marry someone who shares your passion for growing. You either desire it or you don’t desire it. And if you don’t desire to grow, go find someone who doesn’t want to maximize their life either and marry them. Choose someone you can watch TV with the rest of your life and in your final years wonder together how life passed you by.

In most cases, three years into a relationship you will look at your mate and say; “That is not the person I married” and you will be right. People change. People grow. Dallas and I have been married 32 years ago and we are not same people who stood at the altar in that little ol church in Odessa and said ‘I do.’ Life is not a static experience. Life is a growing experience. Have a personal growth plan.

2. Become best friends.

If you are going to really grow together, you have to like each other. It has nothing to do with sex. It has nothing to do with chemistry. Great sex is critical to a healthy, vibrant martial relationship, but without friendship, both the sex and marriage will wither.

3. Discover what you enjoy together.

Decide on things you both like to do. I am amazed at the number of marriages where the guy goes one way, the wife another and they each have their own friends. I think it is wonderful to have your own friends, but that should be a secondary, not a primary part of your life and certainly not at the emotional expense of your spouse. I have heard some couples say their marriage survives only because they live totally separate lives. That is an arrangement, not a marriage.

4. Develop what you enjoy together.

Not only discover what you enjoy together, but whatever it is, do it together often. Dallas and I enjoy working out together, attending sporting events, shopping at COSTCO, cooking a healthy meal, going to the movies and splurging at Taco Bueno. We enjoy going on short trips so we can visit and catch up while we drive. We enjoy watching two or three TV shows a week and we enjoy the mornings when I read the bible to her while she is getting ready for work. Discover what you enjoy together and do it.

When our children were small, one of us would have to stay at home when the other had a business trip. The one who traveled would come home and tell about their adventures. We vowed as the boys got older, we would travel together so we could share the experience together. Today we follow each other all across the Unites States supporting and enjoying each other as we hone and share our professional skills.

Personal Note: One of the ways Dallas and I grow is through reading. Many ago I was working on a marriage and family series. Dallas was reading one of the many research books I was using to stimulate message creativity. She underlined a few passages and wrote a note or two in the margins. I was at the office, studying and writing and I came across one of her margin notes. One of her comments was “Come home big boy.”

I read for another 10 minutes and thought “What am I doing here?” So I packed it up and told my assistant to cancel my appointments. “I have to make a pastoral visit.” And I did. It was the best pastoral visit I ever made!

I told that story when preaching that partiuclar series back in the day. Sherra, my assistant, got several phone calls from wives wanting to know what book pastor Owen was reading. For your information, it wasn’t the book, it was the comments in the margin. :-)

I can give you a manual on how to have a good marriage and how to grow close, what works and what doesn’t work, but the marriage that lasts is determined by what you practice………when you get home. So click off this blog and get to practicing!

I love you church family,

Rick

June 11-12, Change The World Weekend

The end of year school bell and “Graduates, flip your tassels” sends most churches into slow down mode but not St. Matthew! The business of The Kingdom never goes on Vacation. God never slumbers or sleeps and he expects his church to do the same 365 days a year.


There are countless opportunities for all ages on our summer calendar to serve, grow and enjoy fellowship. Click to our website http://www.stmatthewcpc.org/ to view the menu and get on board.

We begin the summer months this weekend by launching our first annual Change the World weekend. Churches all over the world are pushing beyond their walls to impact their community and June 11-12 is our opportunity to join the movement.

For the past five years we have been sending mission teams to Mexico, Ethiopia, the Gulf Coast, blighted neighborhoods in Oklahoma, Arizona and Mississippi. Every week groups head up I -35 to the Women’s and Presbyterian night Shelter. Annually we collect school supplies and help provide Christmas to our area neighbors who find themselves in hard times.

This weekend, we mobilize the entire congregation for one hour of service in our local community. Imagine the impact of 1,000 hour of Community Service in one weekend!

Join the movement by registering on our website or simply showing up this weekend ready to go to work. Dress casual for worship and be prepared to be deployed for one hour. Single, married, families, small groups it matters not from which you come, just come. There will be opportunities for all ages, including those who have health limitations. Some will stay in the building and write letters, others will be sent out to pick up trash, others to perform minor repairs.

I am proud of being part of a congregation who chooses to put their faith into action and I know that God is going to be honored and people blessed through our efforts. Join the movement. Join the fun. Join the effort to Change the World by sharing the love and grace of Jesus Christ with as many people as we can this weekend.

“Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me."                                                                                                                  Jesus > Matthew 25:40

I am looking forward to seeing you this weekend.

Rick

Pray for Peace

I learned of bin Laden’s death like many of you. Dallas and I were winding down on that Sunday night when “Breaking News” interrupted programming just before the 10 o’clock hour. I did not become aware of the jubilant celebrations across American until early the next morning. The headline on my computer screamed out....”Osama bin Laden is dead”….while pictures scrolled of Americans dancing in the streets waving flags and singing songs of celebration.


As an American, I felt a sense of pride in our armed forces and their resolve to protect and defend America and the world at large. I feel a sense of resolution that bin Laden’s taunting personal reign of terror is finally over and that his cowardly corpse had been disposed into the sea. In no way can his death make up for the thousands of individual lives and families impacted by his demonic actions on the day that will forever be remembered as 9-11. But in some sense, justice has been served. We are all held accountable for our actions and if one is not committed to live by grace then he or she must eventually experience the consequence of God’s law.

To be perfectly honest, I must say that I am glad that bin Laden’s personal voice for the mandate of hate has been silenced, but I am also reminded of the biblical mandate that must tenor our own response, “Do not gloat when your enemy falls; when they stumble, do not rejoice.” (Proverbs 24:17) As Jesus followers, we are to demonstrate a peculiar way, a radical way that runs contrary to our instinct “an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.” Jesus said that children of the kingdom are to represent a higher moral law.

“You have heard it was said ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’” But I tell you to love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes the sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.” (Matthew 5:43-44)

I find it ironic that the Pontiff of Peace, Pope Paul II was beatified on the same day Osama bin Laden was killed. The Vatican’s statement released the Monday after bin Laden’s death reflected the spirit of the ambassador of peace Pope Paul III emulated during his earthly service.

“Osama bin Laden, as we all know, must bear the responsibility for spreading divisions and hatred among populations, causing the deaths of innumerable people, and manipulating religion for this purpose. In the face of a man’s death, a Christian never rejoices, but reflects upon the serious responsibilities of each person before God and before men, and works and hopes so that every event may be the occasion for the further growth of peace and not hatred.”

I am thankful that Osama bin Laden is gone and can no longer be an inciting voice for evil, but as a Christian, I am working to align my heart with the heart of our Father God who mourns over a wayward son who sowed seeds of hate instead of seeds of peace. Let us pray that others who harbor such hatred and evil in their hearts will come to know Jesus before they unleash more destruction and they too suffer a similar demise. And while you are at it…………….

Pray for Peace!
Rick