Thursday, Jun 12, 2008

TWG - June 12, 2008

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TWG - June 12, 2008
To Listen to Today’s Reading http://timewithgod.mypodcast.com
Exodus 23; Psalm 34; Philippians 1

Today is June 12, this is time with God, I’m Pastor Dennis - I’ve been waiting here for you. Welcome to our life transforming community. We are doing something of eternal significance. We are redeeming the time. That is one of the basic premises of TWG. We believe that what we do every day is so important that we must do the important things each day. That is why we read the word every Day.

Yesterday was a day of accomplishment. I had a few things I just had to get done, so I set out to do it… and shazam! Sometimes it works out that way. I published our Radio podcast to the internet… http://pgteaching.mypodcast.com/ the first in sharing your faith without fear. I went down to the amphitheater and laid two rows of pavers. They are looking good! I printed, folded, labeled and mailed 200 reminders that Sunday service times are changing this Sunday! I also sent out some 50 email reminders. I also sent a few email press releases to the News review for our service changes and for the upcoming concert next Wednesday. Last night I meant to visit Don and spaced it! I’ll have to do that this morning. I put a picture of Bills car on the handicapped parking spot. If you look closely you can see the gag ticket I put on his windshield. It’s on the blog at timewithgod.mypodcast.com. check it out.

This week’s theme verse is Philippians 4:11-13 …I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through him who gives me strength.

What is it that you need? A new computer? A new phone? A new car? Or are those wants? We mistake a lot of our wants for needs. In our commercialized society we “need” a lot of stuff we can do without. Most of us have no idea what it really means to be “in need.” When Susan and I were first married, and we moved into our first apartment, we had virtually nothing. We had clothes. We had a box for a table and a few rickety chairs. We had a bed that had been given to us. We had a running car (usually). There were a few things in the cupboard. The fridge and stove came with the place (thank God!) I got a job at Safeway and we began to slowly accumulate. Those were lean times. We just barely scraped by. We struggled to pay our bills – still do, nothings changed there! By today’s standards we were in need! But we NEVER missed a meal for lack of food. We never had to sleep under a bridge for lack of shelter. The power never once got shut off. Sure we couldn’t afford McDonalds, but I have never been malnourished or had to deal with famine, plague or war! Our needs, even the needs of some of the neediest here in the good old USA don’t descend to the low level of the needs in other parts of the world! Some people can’t even get the most basic of health care. They just have to suffer with illnesses and diseases that disfigure and kill! Some people don’t have the simple things we take for granted like drinkable water! Their water sources are polluted. Some people don’t have much of anything to eat… imagine eating nothing but pumpkin seeds for six months! And that’s if you were one of the fortunate ones! Some people can’t live their faith publically or they are beaten, chased out of the village, bombed, shot, machetied or persecuted to death. Honestly, I’m not certain that we can say with Paul, “I have learned to be in need!” At least not on the lowest, most dangerous level of need. For us, need is a relative statement! And yet there may be more discontent here in the wealthiest nation on the face of the earth than anywhere else! If anyone ought to be grateful for the bounty of the earth, it ought to be us! If anyone ought to be happy because of the wealth and beauty that surrounds us, it is us! If anyone ought to be content, it ought to be us. Perhaps the reason we struggle so much is because we have never really experienced a dearth of much of anything! We have not learned because we have not had to learn! I’m not suggesting that we give it all up so that we can go to the school of poverty. I am suggesting that we do some deep introspection and wake up on the other side with some serious gratitude to God leading to contentment!

Dear Father… I do have so much! You have blessed me beyond compare! I have not only what I need, I have more stuff than I can even account for. I am blessed. I am grateful. I ask that you would make me more in tune to the needs of the kingdom. Instead of buying myself new toys, may I consider more ways to fund your kingdom work. In that give me joy and teach me contentment.

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