Wednesday, September 30, 2009

a long life

I am going this afternoon to conduct the funeral of a 94 year old man. I asked him a few weeks ago, "Mike, who is the first US President that you remember?" He said, "Warren G. Harding." Harding was President from 1921 -1923! This puts some things in perspective for me. Mike lived 94 years, an incredibly long life on this earth. But 94 years compared to eternity in heaven with God ... a blink of the eye.

Mike is in heaven, I have no doubt, having a great time today.

Monday, September 28, 2009

would Jesus protest?

We received word on Friday that the County Parks and Recreation Department will no longer allow us to conduct worship services at the park, where we have been enjoying our Sunrise Beach Service for several years. Each Sunday morning at 7AM, dozens of people gather to sing, pray and share the Word of God. Because of some scheduling problems, we have to relocate our service or meet later in the day. Later in the day does not work for me because of our worship service schedule at the main campus. Our option seems to be to find another place where we can worship.

What Would Jesus Do?
Protest?
Picket the Parks and Rec Department?
Call the local news reporter?
Boycott the County parks?
Threaten a lawsuit?
I doubt it.

I am hoping that we can assume a position of "turning the other cheek". We wish to be at peace with our County leaders. We want to work with them, along-side them to bring positive change to our community. We want to model a Christ-like attitude as we face this situation.

We are looking for alternative places of worship.

I have to say, this minor inconvenience has caused me to wonder what it is like to have government oppression against our religious practices. How would it feel if worship were made illegal? How would underground worship happen in our community? What do our brothers and sisters in Christ who live in oppressed conditions experience daily?

Pray for the persecuted church around the world.

Is this the first step to the government taking away our freedom of religion and rights to worship? Possibly. Are we going to get in a panic about it? No. I would rather spend my time ministering to people than fighting with community leaders.

Besides, we have been breaking the rules all along. The park is clearly posted: "Park opens at dawn and closes at dusk." We are there way before dawn on most Sundays.

Say a prayer with me about perspective. We need to see these things the way Christ does.

I am expecting growth to come from this. I think this challenge may result in something positive. Honestly, I can't wait to see what God does with this one!

Sunday, September 27, 2009

Life Swap

2 Corinthians 5:17 “…anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!” (New Living Translation)

Most people are too skeptical to believe in a new beginning. Fresh beginnings are only for sports teams at the start of a new season. I think that: 1) past failures and, 2) the myriad of "friends" who surround us to let us know that optimism is for dummies is enough to squash right out of us any shred of hope for positive.

But God has different ideas.

Next Sunday at Maranatha, we will jump into the concept of New Life in Christ. Life Swap will be a four-step "walk through" of how God brings real transformation to our lives. Week one will zero in on how Jesus offers a new beginning to anyone who asks. Each week we will will build on a biblical theme of redemption and renewal.

I am asking that all friends of Maranatha make the investment of time necessary in order to bring a friend to next week's service. That may mean a phone call, it could mean an email. It may even mean an invite to lunch after church. Do whatever it takes short of kidnapping! I will be presenting a very simple plan of salvation. The kind that old church members may find simplistic but seekers find as life-giving. (a word to our old church members - we love you but this one is not about you! It is about Jesus and those who are lost from Him!)

If you would like to receive an e-invite that you can pass along to someone, email lwhitter@maranathachurch.org.

Life Swap - don't miss it!

Saturday, September 26, 2009

laying it on the line

Tomorrow, I plan to put the vision that is in my heart out there for everyone who cares to listen. This doesn't feel risky to me, it is exhilarating. I am not too concerned about whether people like it or not. I do hope that there is "buy in", but I know what God has said to me about His kingdom work in my sphere of responsibility and I am fired up to share it. I won't be defensive, I won't be insensitive. I will be straightforward.

If you are coming to Maranatha tomorrow, please come with an open heart. If you aren't coming, good luck with the translation to audio or video - it just isn't the same!

Grace to you!

Thursday, September 24, 2009

big plans

We are making plans for a life-changing missions trip. During Thanksgiving week, my family, along with most anyone else who is qualified, will travel to Guatemala to help some very needy children. There are two major events for this trip. 1) We will feed, minister to and provide shoes for 200 very poor children in Rio Bravo, Guatemala. These children are literally starving without outside assistance. Most of them are barefoot which contributes to various health issues. 2) We will cook and serve a traditional North American Thanksgiving meal to the orphans who live at Casa Shalom.

If you are interested, there is a lot of info about the trip on our church website.

The sign up deadline is October 4.

If you can't go, you can send.

Please watch the video in the post below.

Animoto.com

Wednesday, September 23, 2009

Tuesday, September 22, 2009

a passion


I am getting geared up again for some outreach/missions stuff. I was checking out a website today that has some incredible quotes from well known missions leaders. Take a look here.

Be watching for some of these great quotes and, more importantly, some details of some upcoming missions events we are pushing.

Here is one quote that killed me:

"Today Christians spend more money on dog food than missions."
Leonard Ravenhill

Monday, September 21, 2009

twitter

I'm on twitter, if you are interested.

twitter.com @rickwhitter

Sunday, September 20, 2009

next steps

FlashForward
(if you weren’t at Maranatha on 9/20, you will need to listen online here – usually posted on Tuesday)

Some questions for your consideration/discussion (maybe your small group can use this):

How do I react/respond to the question “if you saw your future, what would you do”?

Are you willing to accept the fact that your actions today determine, in part, your future?
Any adjustments necessary?

Dig into verse 7 of Ephesians 2: “So God can point to us in all future ages as examples of the incredible wealth of his grace and kindness toward us, as shown in all he has done for us who are united with Christ Jesus.” (NLT)

Consider the vital part the Church plays in regard to fulfilling God’s vision:
Ephesians 3:10-11 His intent was that now, through the church, the manifold wisdom of God should be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms, 11 according to his eternal purpose that he accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord. (TNIV)

Process the idea…
“what part do I play in the future of the church?”

Come to worship service next week. We plan to explore some pretty cool options for “Flashing Forward”.

Saturday, September 19, 2009

prayer for the worshippers

God,

Let them dream for themselves like You dream for them.

Let them be more influenced by You than by others - in regard to their futures.

Let them listen and engage with an open and tender heart.

Let us connect with the idea that the Church is your plan for fulfilling Your vision and reaching the world.

Give us the courage to do today what will result in a better future.

Let us shake off the things that hold us back.

Give us vision.

Let us hear from You.

So be it.

Friday, September 18, 2009

an interview

Part of the message at the main campus on Sunday with feature an interview with Patrick Palmer. Patrick and his family came to Maranatha about a year ago. He and his wife and children became members and he and his daughter, Brianna were baptized last month. He has a great story, one that I would love to see duplicated again and again at the church. You will enjoy it!

FlashForward will be motivating to you. Let's focus on what God is saying about our future as Christ-followers and as a church.

"If you saw your future, what would you do?"

Don't miss it!

Thursday, September 17, 2009

2019

Flash forward 10 years...

It is the year 2019. There you are, looking back at your life over the last ten years. Do you like what you see? Miraculously, you are able to send yourself a message, back ten years ago (2009). Your "future self" is able to share some wisdom with your "past self" that will prevent mistakes and make your life more meaningful.

What would you say?

What message would you try to get to your former self?

Another way of looking at it:
What decisions are your making right now that will still be impacting you and those you love in 10 years ... 20 years?

What are doing right now that will matter in 100 years?

Kick that around while you are contemplating our worship experience this Sunday.

Wednesday, September 16, 2009

the verse

The verse I am using to launch FlashForward is Ephesians 2:10 "God has made us what we are. In Christ Jesus, God made us to do good works, which God planned in advance for us to live our lives doing." (NCV)

Think through that for a minute. The entire goal of our lives is to figure out and fulfill our divine purpose - the reason we were born. I wonder how many people ever even consider this, let alone actually do it. Here's the thing, if people don't know to do it, they certainly won't. So this is a crucial message that we have to get out. Once we talk about it, we actually have to get people to buy into it. It's true, God has something awesome for you to do.

Come on out on Sunday and we will discuss it more in depth. Here's a little hint of one thing we will discuss - your purpose will not take place in a vacuum. In other words, your purpose is connected with others and with their purposes. There is great power in that idea. God gives you and me and others something good to do for Him. Alone, our job doesn't seem like much, but put it together with a few million others and, POW!, the world changes. Let that simmer for a minute.

Make plans, see you on Sunday.

Peace

Tuesday, September 15, 2009

FlashForward

I am in full preparation mode for this weekend's message. It has been a while since I have been this stoked about a particular topic.

I got the idea for the title (FlashForward) and tag line from the new fall TV show on ABC. The message has nothing to do with the show, but I thought the concept of looking forward to the future that God has for us is vitally important.

Here's the deal (and tag line): "If you saw your future, what would you do?" I am trying to figure out the best way to tell people that we absolutely have a major part to play in determining what tomorrow looks like. So many people are just along for the ride - it isn't supposed to be like that.

I personally am very optimistic about the future of Maranatha Church. The people who are involved, and those who will be in the future, are in for some good stuff. This is not just hype. I guess I should say it this way: if we do what God wants, we are in for some good stuff.

Here is what I am asking: If you live close to Palm Beach Gardens and are not connected with another church, please plan to come see what we have to say. If you have friends in the area that are not involved with a church, please send them a link to this blog and invite them to come with you.

I'll be pushing this idea this week, stay with me.

FlashForward...what are you going to do about your future?

Monday, September 14, 2009

This evening, we will gather to celebrate the life of Jeff Robbins. Would you please say a prayer for strength and comfort for Diann and Danny and for Jeff's family?

2 Corinthians 1:3-5 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is the Father who is full of mercy and all comfort.4 He comforts us every time we have trouble, so when others have trouble, we can comfort them with the same comfort God gives us.5 We share in the many sufferings of Christ. In the same way, much comfort comes to us through Christ. (NCV)

Sunday, September 13, 2009

message notes

The Not So Perfect Family Revisited
Part 4: Rebound

Because we are “not so perfect" individuals in “not so perfect” families, we get it wrong sometimes.
We fail.

Divorce happens.
We go broke.
Kids leave home angry.
We lose loved ones.

How do our “not so perfect” families rebound?

In this message, we will discover we can rebound and bounce back from loss and failure.

God allows second chances.
God does not fail us when life fails us.
God does not reject us when we get it wrong the first time.
God does not abandon us when we suffer a loss.

Scriptural focus:
Psalms 46


God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. 2 Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, 3 though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging. Selah

1. In Trouble


What happens when our not so perfect families go through some not so perfect crises?
When this happens:

God becomes our refuge.
He becomes our strength.
He is our ever-present (He is there!) help when we are in trouble.

In his book, Fresh Wind, Fresh Fire, Pastor Jim Cymbala of the Brooklyn Tabernacle Church tells the story of his not so perfect family and the crisis they experience. His daughter Chrissy became addicted to drugs, she left home, she disappeared, living on the streets of New York and was a prostitute.
Their response?
They retreated into their Refuge, they ran to their source of strength. They called out to their ever-present help.
They called the entire church to a Tuesday night prayer meeting.
A few nights later, she showed up on the doorstep and collapsed into her father’s arms.
From his book: “Daddy—Daddy—I’ve sinned against God. I’ve sinned against myself. I’ve sinned against you and Mommy. Please forgive me.” A few seconds later, Cymbala writes, she pulled back startled and said, “Daddy, who was praying for me? On Tuesday night, who was praying for me?”

We will not fear!

When things fail, how are we not afraid?


4 There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, the holy place where the Most High dwells. 5 God is within her, she will not fall; God will help her at break of day. 6 Nations are in uproar, kingdoms fall; he lifts his voice, the earth melts.


2. A change of perspective

God’s perspective as compared to our perspective.
I Corinthians 13: 12 Now we see things imperfectly as in a cloudy mirror, but then we will see everything with perfect clarity. All that I know now is partial and incomplete, but then I will know everything completely, just as God now knows me completely. (NLT)

When we read Ps. 46, there is great contrast:
The earth is chaotic; heaven is orderly.
Temporary things are falling apart; eternal things are safe and sound – peaceful!
Life is insecure, vulnerable and endangered;
God is in control!


How do you get His perspective?
Get as close to Him as you possibly can.


7 The LORD Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress. Selah 8 Come and see the works of the LORD, the desolations he has brought on the earth. 9 He makes wars cease to the ends of the earth; he breaks the bow and shatters the spear, he burns the shields with fire.

3. God is with us

Something to remember when our not so perfect families experience a failure:
God is with us.

When your family is going through tough times, God goes through it with you!
Isaiah 43:2-3 When you go through deep waters, I will be with you. When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown. When you walk through the fire of oppression, you will not be burned up; the flames will not consume you. 3 For I am the LORD, your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior. NLT)

God is with us!

He is our fortress. Different from a refuge. “A cliff or an inaccessible place”.
There is a very important message for us here:
When God is with us, eventually, peace comes.
Verse 8 of Psalms 46 describes the “Desolation He has brought”? other versions: “the amazing things”, “the glorious things”, “the marvels of God”.
What has He desolated?
War! Our battles.
He breaks the weapons we use against one another,
He shatters the spears our families throw around the house,
He burns our shields we have to use to protect ourselves against one another.

This verse is speaking on the peace-giving, restorative powers of God.

He is the only One who can bring peace to wars we fight.
We need to let Him!
And how do we do that?


10 "Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth." 11 The LORD Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress. (NIV)

4. Be still
Hey, not so perfect families – take a deep breath.
Sit back, take it easy.
Stop fighting for a minute.
Stop stressing for a while.
Stop wondering and worrying and warring.
Rest.

God wants us to chill, to relax. Chillax!

Be still, know that He is God!
This command — “be still” — forces us to think on two things:
That we are finite, and that God is infinite.

He says that He will be exalted on earth as He is in heaven.

If we are still and we allow Him to do His work…


The last verse of Psalms 46: “The Lord Almighty is with us!”
He is with us!
God is Almighty, He wins.
If He is with us and He wins, guess what, we win also!

Closing thought:

No matter how imperfect our families are, no matter how much we are broken,
We can rebound!
Our not so perfect families can bounce back.
God is giving us another chance, let’s be sure we get it right this time.

Prayer

Friday, September 11, 2009

a loss

Jeff Robbins passed away this morning. Jeff was a close friend of mine, He was a leader in our church. He was a husband and a dad and a son. Jeff was only 39. After a very long illness, Jeff went to be with God.

Whether or not you knew him, would you say a prayer for those he left behind? His wife is a wonderful person and she needs lots of support. His little boy is only 5.

God bless you, Jeff. I love you and will see you again. Hopefully sooner rather than later.

Thursday, September 10, 2009

OK, back to work...

Thanks for the break, it was nice but the Boss is calling.

I made a quick trip to Tampa today. I was involved in an interesting process that could have been bad but turned out good. Without getting specific, it is good to see the good in people come out. Sometimes we get a little jaded as to the possibilities of redemption. Well, there is hope, good things still happen. I was glad to witness it today.

Goethe said, “In all things it is better to hope than to despair”. I agree.