Train Up A Dog....
Ephes. 4:32 (Msg)
Be gentle with one another, sensitive. Forgive one another as quickly and thoroughly as God in Christ forgave you.
If you haven't guessed by now dear reader, New Hope is a special place. It's a different place, and very special. We're not trying to raise up "church people", instead we are trying to raise up people who are comfortable "being church".
We want to connect people, and hardwire into them the idea that their church family should be the place they feel most at home.
We're turning over a page in our 40 Days of Purpose this weekend and beginning to look at the fact that we all were formed for God's family. Within the family, when you have a great experience, you share it.
So it shouldn't have been surprising that immediately after Bible Study Wednesday night, I was summoned by Katie Shermer and Michelle Poremba to see "Angel Face". She's a dog. A dachshund to be precise, and she's a cutie. But she doesn't get by on her good looks, she has talent too. The girls were having "dog night" last Wednesday, where they can bring their dogs to church to show everyone else how special they are. (This was preceded by "cat night" the week before, so please no emails from cat lovers. :)
Yes, Angel Face is quite the master thespian. When Michelle points at Angel Face and says "Bang", she plays dead. Everyone who saw her performances Wednesday night raved about her.
She's been trained well.
But she wouldn't do it for me. Too many new people, too many little hands on her.
What was neat to me though, was to see how she was treated when she failed.
She got a hug and a "That's okay." So Angel Face gave her back a big dog kiss for her effort.
I loved it! That's Christlike love in action. And it is exactly the type of love we are trying to teach our kids to give and receive. So Angel Face failed - big deal - she's still loved just for who she is.
It's the same for anyone else who will accept God's offer of forgiveness and everlasting love. It's not about our "performance", it is and always will be about God's great and abiding love for us.
Have a great and God filled weekend!
Grace!
David Wilson
This devotional is written by David Wilson, pastor of New Hope Baptist church in Valparaiso, FL. If you find you have received this via a forward and would like to receive it regularly, or find you no longer wish to receive it, drop me an email at dwilsonfl@earthlink.net and I'll make the change to the list. If you'd like to know more about New Hope, visit our website at www.newhopevalp.org . May God bless you.
Friday, May 07, 2004
Thursday, May 06, 2004
Juliet's World
Matthew 11:29-30 (The Message)
Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won't lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. [30] Keep company with me and you'll learn to live freely and lightly."
Juliet's world is growing all the time. She came to New Hope with her mom, her brother Romeo, and little sister Celeste and immediately brightened our days. Her mom's a single mother, who does a great job teaching her kids how to grow up into wonderful adults. They are kind, respectful, and a blessing to be around. I've watched her as she "mothers" them. It explained a lot to me of how the kids are. She's kind, she's loving, and when she corrects them, it's in a way that though firm, never ever gives a hint of anything but their best at her heart.
That kind of love has produced a bright, loving young girl name Juliet who's a joy to be around. So what could be better than that?
Having her around forever!
Just recently, Juliet trusted Christ as Savior. She'll be baptized Sunday afternoon. And she's already showing the marks of a true disciple - reading her Bible, and thanking others who helped her along the journey's first steps.
As the kids come here, we love them and try to show them Who loves us all best - Jesus. We try to be good examples of His disciples, and try to lead the kids to understand just Who God is and just how much He loves them.
There's no timetable for them to become believers, just a group of people who love and pray for them to one day realize Christ's loving gift. Some take a while to grasp His outstretched hands. Others, like Juliet, begin to ask questions, and with an open heart and mind, find that in Christ, all things become new. They walk from their mother's or father's arms, into the arms of Jesus Christ.
That's Juliet's world.
It's as beautiful as a young girl's smile. As free as those "unforced rhythms of grace". And forever and ever, it's a world filled with the unchanging love of God.
It's no guilt trip, and there's nothing heavy about it - just the opposite - it's pure freedom to walk along the journey with Christ.
Is that where you are? There's room for a lot more people in Juliet's world.
Come and see..
Grace!
David Wilson
This devotional is written by David Wilson, pastor of New Hope Baptist church in Valparaiso, FL. If you find you have received this via a forward and would like to receive it regularly, or find you no longer wish to receive it, drop me an email at dwilsonfl@earthlink.net and I'll make the change to the list. If you'd like to know more about New Hope, visit our website at www.newhopevalp.org . May God bless you.
Matthew 11:29-30 (The Message)
Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won't lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. [30] Keep company with me and you'll learn to live freely and lightly."
Juliet's world is growing all the time. She came to New Hope with her mom, her brother Romeo, and little sister Celeste and immediately brightened our days. Her mom's a single mother, who does a great job teaching her kids how to grow up into wonderful adults. They are kind, respectful, and a blessing to be around. I've watched her as she "mothers" them. It explained a lot to me of how the kids are. She's kind, she's loving, and when she corrects them, it's in a way that though firm, never ever gives a hint of anything but their best at her heart.
That kind of love has produced a bright, loving young girl name Juliet who's a joy to be around. So what could be better than that?
Having her around forever!
Just recently, Juliet trusted Christ as Savior. She'll be baptized Sunday afternoon. And she's already showing the marks of a true disciple - reading her Bible, and thanking others who helped her along the journey's first steps.
As the kids come here, we love them and try to show them Who loves us all best - Jesus. We try to be good examples of His disciples, and try to lead the kids to understand just Who God is and just how much He loves them.
There's no timetable for them to become believers, just a group of people who love and pray for them to one day realize Christ's loving gift. Some take a while to grasp His outstretched hands. Others, like Juliet, begin to ask questions, and with an open heart and mind, find that in Christ, all things become new. They walk from their mother's or father's arms, into the arms of Jesus Christ.
That's Juliet's world.
It's as beautiful as a young girl's smile. As free as those "unforced rhythms of grace". And forever and ever, it's a world filled with the unchanging love of God.
It's no guilt trip, and there's nothing heavy about it - just the opposite - it's pure freedom to walk along the journey with Christ.
Is that where you are? There's room for a lot more people in Juliet's world.
Come and see..
Grace!
David Wilson
This devotional is written by David Wilson, pastor of New Hope Baptist church in Valparaiso, FL. If you find you have received this via a forward and would like to receive it regularly, or find you no longer wish to receive it, drop me an email at dwilsonfl@earthlink.net and I'll make the change to the list. If you'd like to know more about New Hope, visit our website at www.newhopevalp.org . May God bless you.
Wednesday, May 05, 2004
Carrisa's World
Psalm 89:15-16 (Msg)
Blessed are the people who know the passwords of praise,
who shout on parade in the bright presence of God.
[16] Delighted, they dance all day long; they know
who you are, what you do—they can't keep it quiet!
Carissa comes with friends to New Hope. A lot of times we'll see children come quite a bit before their parents will. Our job then is to love the kids and share Jesus with them. There are times when our folks working with them come out shell-shocked. Imagine getting a bunch of boys to calm down long enough to tell them a Bible story. Or just try getting a group of little girls to focus for an hour.. for 30 minutes... just try.
High energy? You betcha!
Harnessing all that energy and redirecting it into an understanding of God's love and an expression of it in worship is what the goal is. And there are times when it happens, and we catch a glimpse of God at work.
A couple of weeks ago, the girl's praise team combined with our choir to present a special song for worship. You should have seen it! The whole front row of the choir was filled with little girls, the whole back row with adults. Carissa took up her position on the far left-hand side.
It was a great song, that really moved people toward God - His character, His nature - His love. Most of the adults were concentrating on getting the notes just right, and had their heads in their songbooks, with occasional glances toward the director. The girls had memorized their parts, and were free to worship.
No one was more free that day than Carissa.
When they reached the chorus, her face broke into a dazzling smile, and she began to boogie! She just got carried away. I know by Who. For a few moments, Carissa stepped across into communion with the Spirit of God, and left this world behind.
You can go there too.
The password is "Thank You!". It's your entrance into the world of worship.
Psalm 100:4-5 (Msg)
Enter with the password: "Thank you!"
Make yourselves at home, talking praise.
Thank him. Worship him.
[5] For God is sheer beauty,
all-generous in love,
loyal always and ever.
Forget about yourself, and focus on the God Who wants to meet with you. See His beauty, His grace, His love for you. You'll quickly forget about everything except pleasing Him, and rejoicing in His arms.
Just be careful... in Carissa's world, you can't help but dance.
It's good practice for heaven.
Grace!
David Wilson
This devotional is written by David Wilson, pastor of New Hope Baptist church in Valparaiso, FL. If you find you have received this via a forward and would like to receive it regularly, or find you no longer wish to receive it, drop me an email at dwilsonfl@earthlink.net and I'll make the change to the list. If you'd like to know more about New Hope, visit our website at www.newhopevalp.org . May God bless you.
Psalm 89:15-16 (Msg)
Blessed are the people who know the passwords of praise,
who shout on parade in the bright presence of God.
[16] Delighted, they dance all day long; they know
who you are, what you do—they can't keep it quiet!
Carissa comes with friends to New Hope. A lot of times we'll see children come quite a bit before their parents will. Our job then is to love the kids and share Jesus with them. There are times when our folks working with them come out shell-shocked. Imagine getting a bunch of boys to calm down long enough to tell them a Bible story. Or just try getting a group of little girls to focus for an hour.. for 30 minutes... just try.
High energy? You betcha!
Harnessing all that energy and redirecting it into an understanding of God's love and an expression of it in worship is what the goal is. And there are times when it happens, and we catch a glimpse of God at work.
A couple of weeks ago, the girl's praise team combined with our choir to present a special song for worship. You should have seen it! The whole front row of the choir was filled with little girls, the whole back row with adults. Carissa took up her position on the far left-hand side.
It was a great song, that really moved people toward God - His character, His nature - His love. Most of the adults were concentrating on getting the notes just right, and had their heads in their songbooks, with occasional glances toward the director. The girls had memorized their parts, and were free to worship.
No one was more free that day than Carissa.
When they reached the chorus, her face broke into a dazzling smile, and she began to boogie! She just got carried away. I know by Who. For a few moments, Carissa stepped across into communion with the Spirit of God, and left this world behind.
You can go there too.
The password is "Thank You!". It's your entrance into the world of worship.
Psalm 100:4-5 (Msg)
Enter with the password: "Thank you!"
Make yourselves at home, talking praise.
Thank him. Worship him.
[5] For God is sheer beauty,
all-generous in love,
loyal always and ever.
Forget about yourself, and focus on the God Who wants to meet with you. See His beauty, His grace, His love for you. You'll quickly forget about everything except pleasing Him, and rejoicing in His arms.
Just be careful... in Carissa's world, you can't help but dance.
It's good practice for heaven.
Grace!
David Wilson
This devotional is written by David Wilson, pastor of New Hope Baptist church in Valparaiso, FL. If you find you have received this via a forward and would like to receive it regularly, or find you no longer wish to receive it, drop me an email at dwilsonfl@earthlink.net and I'll make the change to the list. If you'd like to know more about New Hope, visit our website at www.newhopevalp.org . May God bless you.
Tuesday, May 04, 2004
William's World
My friend William Hobbs walked into my office Sunday. At just past two, he is incredibly huggable, but he didn't come for one of those, he came to tell me something. So sermon preparation came to a halt, my chair swiveled around, and I gave over my attention to William's world.
And what a world it is!
For William, every event is a cause for celebration, even what he wanted to share with me Sunday. His little brow furrowed, and when he saw that I was paying attention, his pudgy little hand grabbed the fabric on his chest and he said "shirt", and grinned.
I had to grin back.
Was it a new shirt? Don't know. Was it his favorite shirt? Don't know. Does he just like shirts in general and wanted to see if he could make a convert to his revolutionary way of looking at life? Don't know.
But whatever reason he had behind his statement - it was followed by a grin - so it must be good.
Somehow I think it's always good in William's world.
What happened to the rest of us?
Romans 8:28 (GW)
We know that all things work together for the good of those who love God—those whom He has called according to His plan.
Now folks, is that true or not?
Romans 8:31 (GW)
What can we say about all of this? If God is for us, who can be against us?
And that one - are you saying that there's a someone, something, somehow type of problem in your life that's just too big for God to handle?
Romans 8:37 (GW)
The one who loves us gives us an overwhelming victory in all these difficulties.
You see friends, it is true that a child's view of the world is limited. William doesn't know about war, and HIV, and poverty, or death. But he knows he's loved, and he knows he's cared for - and that's enough for him.
How about you?
I know your world is much bigger than William's, you've got a lot on your mind. But when you strip away everything except that which matters, you'll know this.
You are loved.
By God.
Now go tell.
Grace!
David Wilson
This devotional is written by David Wilson, pastor of New Hope Baptist church in Valparaiso, FL. If you find you have received this via a forward and would like to receive it regularly, or find you no longer wish to receive it, drop me an email at dwilsonfl@earthlink.net and I'll make the change to the list. If you'd like to know more about New Hope, visit our website at www.newhopevalp.org . May God bless you.
My friend William Hobbs walked into my office Sunday. At just past two, he is incredibly huggable, but he didn't come for one of those, he came to tell me something. So sermon preparation came to a halt, my chair swiveled around, and I gave over my attention to William's world.
And what a world it is!
For William, every event is a cause for celebration, even what he wanted to share with me Sunday. His little brow furrowed, and when he saw that I was paying attention, his pudgy little hand grabbed the fabric on his chest and he said "shirt", and grinned.
I had to grin back.
Was it a new shirt? Don't know. Was it his favorite shirt? Don't know. Does he just like shirts in general and wanted to see if he could make a convert to his revolutionary way of looking at life? Don't know.
But whatever reason he had behind his statement - it was followed by a grin - so it must be good.
Somehow I think it's always good in William's world.
What happened to the rest of us?
Romans 8:28 (GW)
We know that all things work together for the good of those who love God—those whom He has called according to His plan.
Now folks, is that true or not?
Romans 8:31 (GW)
What can we say about all of this? If God is for us, who can be against us?
And that one - are you saying that there's a someone, something, somehow type of problem in your life that's just too big for God to handle?
Romans 8:37 (GW)
The one who loves us gives us an overwhelming victory in all these difficulties.
You see friends, it is true that a child's view of the world is limited. William doesn't know about war, and HIV, and poverty, or death. But he knows he's loved, and he knows he's cared for - and that's enough for him.
How about you?
I know your world is much bigger than William's, you've got a lot on your mind. But when you strip away everything except that which matters, you'll know this.
You are loved.
By God.
Now go tell.
Grace!
David Wilson
This devotional is written by David Wilson, pastor of New Hope Baptist church in Valparaiso, FL. If you find you have received this via a forward and would like to receive it regularly, or find you no longer wish to receive it, drop me an email at dwilsonfl@earthlink.net and I'll make the change to the list. If you'd like to know more about New Hope, visit our website at www.newhopevalp.org . May God bless you.
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