In the words of the prophet Britney Spears, “Oops, I did it again.” I went to the gym this morning and was putting in my time on the elliptical. I was listening to RC Sproul on my phone and I had the television on the wall tuned into ESPN to catch up what was going on in the sports world when the couple walked in. I knew they were going to change the channel and I was ready to pounce. He picked up the remote, changed the channel, and I did indeed pounce. How dare they!
     Another couple walked into the gym whom I did not recognize and I immediately made assessments about them based on their appearance. It was then I caught myself doing it again, oops! Not truly knowing any of these people I made judgements about them based on my standards.
     If we are honest with ourselves we all do it. We see someone and we make a quick assessment and judgment about that person. The person who cuts you off in traffic. The person walking down the street in dirty clothes with a cigarette in mouth and a baby on their hip. The person driving the nice car is probably stuck up and think they own the world. A beautiful woman obviously bought her appearance. The person protesting whatever the latest cause may be needs to come around to my way of thinking. Trump is an idiot. Clinton is a crook. On and on judgements are made based on our own ideologies. The eye test reveals the true condition of our heart.
     All this caused me to ponder my Lord. The disciples saw a Samaritan women at the well. “We do not associate with Samaritan women.” Jesus offers her grace and forgiveness. Jesus is dining with some Pharisees when a woman washes His feet. The Pharisees look in disgust, “Doesn’t He know what kind of woman she is?” We see this theme played out over and over in the gospels. The people assess someone and dismiss. Jesus assess and reaches out.
     I must admit it is a difficult thing to eradicate from our ingrained attitudes, this assess and dismiss attitude. But it must be eradicated if a follower of Christ is going be conformed into the image of our Savior.
     In my reading this morning I came across these words from the Apostle Peter, “To sum up. All of you be harmonious, sympathetic, brotherly, kindhearted, and humble in spirit; not returning evil for evil or insult for insult, but giving a blessing instead; for you were called for the very purpose that you might inherit a blessing” (1Peter 3:8-9).
     Pray this morning for the attitude of assess and dismiss to be squashed in your heart and mind and replaced by an attitude of our Savior who chose to see value and love. Make every effort to eradicate the mind of self-righteousness and replace it with selfless servanthood. When someone crosses your path get beyond the eye test to the person who has been created in the image of our Maker.
​

Pastor Rob

     In the long row of freshly waxed muscle cars parked at the McDonald’s near the entrance to South Park sat Greg Bielski’s 1974 Ford Maverick. Its multicolored primer pattern was a sight for the eyes. The seats were a bit ratty, the windows were dirty, and the dashboard was cracked. In the line of vintage rebuilt Corvettes, Camaro’s, and Chevelles it wasn’t much to look at. However, when he turned the key all heads turned. I do not recall what was under the hood but I do not recall him ever losing a race on Corrigan Drive, the local spot to release your testosterone.


     Although the other cars looked far superior, I learned that day it was not the spit shine and polish that won the race; that delivered the goods. It was what the car had underneath the hood that made the difference.


     The early church was not much to look at. It was some fishermen, a tax collector, a zealot, and some others we know little about. We know from the book of Acts they were uneducated (Acts 4:13). But we see they had something under the hood that when the key was turned all heads were turned. The day of Pentecost they were indwelt by the Holy Spirit and the power was obvious.


     We too have that same power and while we may not be much to look at, when we operate by the power of the Spirit there is not a race we cannot win. However, too often we never turn the key. The Spirit indwells but the car is in park or idling up the road. God is calling us to partake of the power and operate in the full power of the Holy Spirit just as the early church did. And when we do there is nothing that can stop His church from prevailing on our community.


     Take time this morning to listen to the power that indwells you and surrender to the power of the Holy Spirit that you may be empowered and be His witness wherever your day takes you.


Pastor Rob

 

     60 Minutes did a story on renowned wildlife photographer Thomas D. Mangelsen. His pictures are breathtaking. He has a unique gift to see and frame a picture not many people have. This was evident during the story when he went on a photo shoot with the interviewer. They were standing side by side with the same camera setup photographing the same scene on an elk crossing a river. The differences between the two photos were obvious. The reporter’s photo was slightly out of focus and didn’t capture the lighting. Mangelsen knew how to perfectly frame the shot and set up the camera to capture the image. His picture placed the viewer in his shoes. I am a very amateur photographer. I enjoy taking pictures but I do not have the eye of Mangelsen.


     In a similar fashion I was talking to someone about guitars. I have always loved guitar music and have a deep appreciation for quality playing. Not just the sound but the craftsmanship behind them. I can see a beautiful guitar but not put into words why it is beautiful. Nor why it produces the beautiful sound. He sees a guitar and he understands the totality of its beauty. He sees the wood used, knows where it comes from and why the quality of the wood not only brings the beauty but a specific sound quality. It was a fascinating conversation that gave me a better appreciation for the guitar.


     When it comes to viewing people I have come to learn none of us are truly experts. We may realize there is beauty there but our untrained eye fails to grasp it, the unique qualities they have been endowed. This is why it is critical to trust the eye of the Maker and appreciate the beauty of others through His eyes. It is in seeing through His lens the people around us become in focus and we gain a better appreciation of their beauty.


“You are altogether beautiful, my darling; there is no flaw in you.” (Song of Solomon 4:7)
​

Pastor Rob

     When I first learned to read I could not wait to turn the page to see where Spot would run to next. As I grew older Spot could not hold my attention (unless a grandchild was on my knee) and I discovered the Hardy Boys. I looked forward to the solution to whatever mystery had caught their attention. As I grew older the Hardy Boys were laid aside for the adventures of an overwhelmed little hobbit from a distant land. Then it was on to Jack Ryan and whatever conspiracy attempted to cripple our nation. As I grew in my reading (outside of the Hobbit) the previous reading delights were insufficient to satisfy my love for reading.We see this in our culture as well. As I watched television evolve over the years, Ozzie and Harriet were replaced by Al and Peg Bundy and Perry Mason by Criminal Minds. A motorcycle that can attain speeds of 150 mph is replaced by one that will surpass 200+ mph. The sport of parachuting has evolved from jumping out of an airplane to jumping off bridges to winged suits. It is said marijuana is a gateway drug that leaves you hungering for a better high.

The truth is we are always searching for something that will satisfy. And each and every level attained leaves us searching for something more. Until we find the ultimate we will always be left disappointed.

I have come to discover, after traveling many of the roads mentioned above, true and ultimate satisfaction can only come through the Lord Jesus Christ. In John 4 Jesus encounters a Samaritan woman at a well. Or should I say she encountered Him? The woman had live a rather promiscuous life. She came seeking a drink of water. He came to provide living water. 

It is a good reminder to us the things of the world will only give us temporary satisfaction and in the end leave us wanting something more. It is only Christ who can fulfill that which is truly lacking, spiritual nourishment and peace with the Father. If you are restless and searching, search no longer.

Pastor Rob

     When I first learned to read I could not wait to turn the page to see where Spot would run to next. As I grew older Spot could not hold my attention (unless a grandchild was on my knee) and I discovered the Hardy Boys. I looked forward to the solution to whatever mystery had caught their attention. As I grew older the Hardy Boys were laid aside for the adventures of an overwhelmed little hobbit from a distant land. Then it was on to Jack Ryan and whatever conspiracy attempted to cripple our nation. As I grew in my reading (outside of the Hobbit) the previous reading delights were insufficient to satisfy my love for reading.
     We see this in our culture as well. As I watched television evolve over the years, Ozzie and Harriet were replaced by Al and Peg Bundy and Perry Mason by Criminal Minds. A motorcycle that can attain speeds of 150 mph is replaced by one that will surpass 200+ mph. The sport of parachuting has evolved from jumping out of an airplane to jumping off bridges to winged suits. It is said marijuana is a gateway drug that leaves you hungering for a better high.
     The truth is we are always searching for something that will satisfy. And each and every level attained leaves us searching for something more. Until we find the ultimate we will always be left disappointed.
     I have come to discover, after traveling many of the roads mentioned above, true and ultimate satisfaction can only come through the Lord Jesus Christ. In John 4 Jesus encounters a Samaritan woman at a well. Or should I say she encountered Him? The woman had live a rather promiscuous life. She came seeking a drink of water. He came to provide living water. 
     It is a good reminder to us the things of the world will only give us temporary satisfaction and in the end leave us wanting something more. It is only Christ who can fulfill that which is truly lacking, spiritual nourishment and peace with the Father. If you are restless and searching, search no longer.
Pastor Rob