Pastor's Weekly Musing
Hey everyone!
As a kid growing up in Southern California, I spent a significant amount of time at the beach. It's free, it's open all day every day, it's lots of fun, and it's guaranteed to tire out the kids, so my parents took us there a lot -- wouldn't you?
I never got into surfing, but I did love trying to catch waves via body-surfing and the occasional boogie-board. And after a few trips to the beach, you start to notice how the locals would respond to the ocean. There were specific times when they would all rush into the water, since the tide was coming in and the waves were increasing in size and frequency. They didn't want to miss it, since the next good set of waves might not come again for awhile.
Catching a good wave is an interesting phenomenon. For one, the person in the water obviously doesn't create the wave. He's at the mercy of the water, and has to simply wait it out. On the other hand, there are certain things he/she can do to catch the wave more effectively, including seizing the moment when a good wave comes.
Guys, make no mistake: Meadows is experiencing a spiritual wave. There is a growing surge of response and engagement that we haven't had in awhile, praise be to God.
Some things to know about this wave, just like all waves:
FIRST: We didn't create it. A lot of it is simply circumstances changing: Covid seems to be waning (Lord-willing), mandates have fallen off locally, we're able to offer ministries and classes that we haven't recently, and people seem to be realizing that we're all in desperate need of community after a long season of isolation and division. It's all happening at once, and a wave has emerged.
SECOND: We can position ourselves to catch it. We can step out, engage, press in, and in so doing, we can get on board with what God has begun. A wave is a wave whether we catch it or not, but -- like the SoCal surfers -- when we recognize the timing of the waves, we can let it carry us in a profoundly powerful way, in a way we can't accomplish through our own brute strength.
Hebrews 13:20-21 says "Now may the God of peace--who brought up from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great Shepherd of the sheep, and ratified an eternal covenant with His blood--may He equip you with all you need for doing His will. May He produce in you, through the power of Jesus Christ, every good thing that is pleasing to Him. All glory to Him forever and ever! Amen." NLT
See that? God "equips us" and "produces in us" good things. And we "do His will" and live a life that "pleases Him." He creates the wave, we recognize it and ride that wave home. We partner with an all-powerful God.
Walking with Jesus has always been less like a rowboat, and more like a sailboat. With a rowboat, all the work is up to you. If you're going to get anywhere, it's going to be because you muscled your way there. But in a sailboat, it's different. There's still things to do, but you're at the mercy of the wind. You see the wind and waves approaching, and you respond in partnership with a power that's beyond you.
If I can encourage you in this season: press in. Engage. Come to church. Worship with all you got. Make a new friend at church, outside of your normal circle. Take someone to lunch after church. Invite a friend to church. Sign up for classes and groups, joining the dozens and dozens that already have done so. Show up to Sundays, Wednesdays, Saturday breakfasts. Catch the wave!
It's happening, whether we notice it or not. Like some good surfers, let's run toward this wave, and let it carry us into the season God has for us here.
Amen?
As a kid growing up in Southern California, I spent a significant amount of time at the beach. It's free, it's open all day every day, it's lots of fun, and it's guaranteed to tire out the kids, so my parents took us there a lot -- wouldn't you?
I never got into surfing, but I did love trying to catch waves via body-surfing and the occasional boogie-board. And after a few trips to the beach, you start to notice how the locals would respond to the ocean. There were specific times when they would all rush into the water, since the tide was coming in and the waves were increasing in size and frequency. They didn't want to miss it, since the next good set of waves might not come again for awhile.
Catching a good wave is an interesting phenomenon. For one, the person in the water obviously doesn't create the wave. He's at the mercy of the water, and has to simply wait it out. On the other hand, there are certain things he/she can do to catch the wave more effectively, including seizing the moment when a good wave comes.
Guys, make no mistake: Meadows is experiencing a spiritual wave. There is a growing surge of response and engagement that we haven't had in awhile, praise be to God.
Some things to know about this wave, just like all waves:
FIRST: We didn't create it. A lot of it is simply circumstances changing: Covid seems to be waning (Lord-willing), mandates have fallen off locally, we're able to offer ministries and classes that we haven't recently, and people seem to be realizing that we're all in desperate need of community after a long season of isolation and division. It's all happening at once, and a wave has emerged.
SECOND: We can position ourselves to catch it. We can step out, engage, press in, and in so doing, we can get on board with what God has begun. A wave is a wave whether we catch it or not, but -- like the SoCal surfers -- when we recognize the timing of the waves, we can let it carry us in a profoundly powerful way, in a way we can't accomplish through our own brute strength.
Hebrews 13:20-21 says "Now may the God of peace--who brought up from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great Shepherd of the sheep, and ratified an eternal covenant with His blood--may He equip you with all you need for doing His will. May He produce in you, through the power of Jesus Christ, every good thing that is pleasing to Him. All glory to Him forever and ever! Amen." NLT
See that? God "equips us" and "produces in us" good things. And we "do His will" and live a life that "pleases Him." He creates the wave, we recognize it and ride that wave home. We partner with an all-powerful God.
Walking with Jesus has always been less like a rowboat, and more like a sailboat. With a rowboat, all the work is up to you. If you're going to get anywhere, it's going to be because you muscled your way there. But in a sailboat, it's different. There's still things to do, but you're at the mercy of the wind. You see the wind and waves approaching, and you respond in partnership with a power that's beyond you.
If I can encourage you in this season: press in. Engage. Come to church. Worship with all you got. Make a new friend at church, outside of your normal circle. Take someone to lunch after church. Invite a friend to church. Sign up for classes and groups, joining the dozens and dozens that already have done so. Show up to Sundays, Wednesdays, Saturday breakfasts. Catch the wave!
It's happening, whether we notice it or not. Like some good surfers, let's run toward this wave, and let it carry us into the season God has for us here.
Amen?
_______________________________________________
UPCOMING IMPORTANT DATES:
Saturday, February 12: Men's Breakfast
Men of all ages are invited to a morning of food, fellowship, and the Word, brought this month by our very own Alan Ray. Breakfast sandwiches will be served, praises will be lifted, the Gospel will be proclaimed, and connections will be made. Starts at 9 AM.
Thursday, February 24: Theology Class begins
Pastor Robyn's theology classes are back in action, and you won't want to miss it! This 6-week class (on Thursdays from 6-8:30 PM) will deep-dive into the Doctrine of God, Jesus, Humanity, and Sin. It's an incredible class.
Click HERE for more info and to register.
Tuesday, March 1: Ladies Connect begins
Join the Meadows Ladies for a Launch Party, as they begin an 8-week study together. This session is geared toward learning about and creating lifelong friendships and a God-centered community that will encourage us, challenge us, and grow us.
We're offering this gathering in the morning AND evening: Tuesdays at 10 AM, AND 6:30 PM, beginning on March 1. Click HERE to register and get more info.
Sunday, March 6: SQUARE ONE
Interested in becoming a member? Or just want to hear a little more about Meadows and your pastors? Square One is the perfect place to start.
This conference is where we lay it all out there: our doctrine, our philosophy, our strategies, our personal stories, the works. It ends with the opportunity to become a member. Click HERE to register!
Saturday, February 12: Men's Breakfast
Men of all ages are invited to a morning of food, fellowship, and the Word, brought this month by our very own Alan Ray. Breakfast sandwiches will be served, praises will be lifted, the Gospel will be proclaimed, and connections will be made. Starts at 9 AM.
Thursday, February 24: Theology Class begins
Pastor Robyn's theology classes are back in action, and you won't want to miss it! This 6-week class (on Thursdays from 6-8:30 PM) will deep-dive into the Doctrine of God, Jesus, Humanity, and Sin. It's an incredible class.
Click HERE for more info and to register.
Tuesday, March 1: Ladies Connect begins
Join the Meadows Ladies for a Launch Party, as they begin an 8-week study together. This session is geared toward learning about and creating lifelong friendships and a God-centered community that will encourage us, challenge us, and grow us.
We're offering this gathering in the morning AND evening: Tuesdays at 10 AM, AND 6:30 PM, beginning on March 1. Click HERE to register and get more info.
Sunday, March 6: SQUARE ONE
Interested in becoming a member? Or just want to hear a little more about Meadows and your pastors? Square One is the perfect place to start.
This conference is where we lay it all out there: our doctrine, our philosophy, our strategies, our personal stories, the works. It ends with the opportunity to become a member. Click HERE to register!
_______________________________________________
Tomorrow morning, Meadows Youth Group (MYG) is heading up to Camp Cedar Crest in the San Bernardino mountains for Winter Camp! Nearly 60 teens will be heading up the mountain to unplug, to connect with each other, and to hear from God.
Let's pray for their weekend: for safe travels, for friendships to begin and strengthen, and for God to move mightily among them!
Let's pray for their weekend: for safe travels, for friendships to begin and strengthen, and for God to move mightily among them!
_______________________________________________
This Sunday, we'll continue our New Testament series, The Heart of Christ.
Last week, we looked at the one place in Scripture where Jesus Himself told us what's in His heart. He tells us that in the center of who He is, what He wants to be known for, who He actually is inside, His heart is "gentle and lowly." He's understanding. And He's accessible.
This Sunday, we'll look at other places in the Gospels where we're told how Jesus felt while He dealt with people. There's a theme that emerges when Jesus sees people suffering, and it's another aspect of His heart. His heart remains the same for us today as well.
Join us this Sunday for Part 2 - Compassionate.
Looking forward to seeing you all on the walkway!
Pastor Ronnie
Last week, we looked at the one place in Scripture where Jesus Himself told us what's in His heart. He tells us that in the center of who He is, what He wants to be known for, who He actually is inside, His heart is "gentle and lowly." He's understanding. And He's accessible.
This Sunday, we'll look at other places in the Gospels where we're told how Jesus felt while He dealt with people. There's a theme that emerges when Jesus sees people suffering, and it's another aspect of His heart. His heart remains the same for us today as well.
Join us this Sunday for Part 2 - Compassionate.
Looking forward to seeing you all on the walkway!
Pastor Ronnie
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