ConneXus Blog

Dear Church Family

2010-01-20T21:54:00.001-06:00

by Julia Fowler, Worship Arts Pastor

Seriously, how can I even begin to say good-bye. Since music is my favorite medium I would suggest a song—perhaps the Von Trapp family singers rendition from the Sound of music: “So long, farewell, auf Wiedersehen, adieu”, but alas, even a song seems so terribly inadequate for this unique occasion.

I know I won’t be able to express all that my heart feels for you, for this church, for the church staff, for the years of memories, experiences, labors, investments or rewards that have accumulated over the past 8.5 years—words again are simply insufficient to encapsulate an accurate account of true life. And yet, out of these experiences I have learned, I have grown, I have been stretched and have come to know and Love the Lord and His people so much more deeply, and fiercely than I ever knew possible. Worshipping the Lord IS good!

For years I have tried to add in the task of redefining worship since so many people think that praise and worship is only singing songs at church. With this final opportunity, I want to drive home for you again that it is so much more! Worship is also a condition of your heart—it is a willingness on your part to exalt God and to yield to his will. Worship is an expression of love and awe to the God who gives us so much more than we deserve!! Whether you express your worship by singing, playing music, helping others, giving of your resources or in some other way, remember that you are called to worship God with your every action, every day of your life. God is holy, loving and worthy of all our worship and devotion.

It is true that for us both, myself and this church body, one chapter of our lives is closing but this also gives way for a new one to begin. A blank slate, if you will, awaits God’s people without boundaries and without limitations. It is up to us whom we will serve on this day and in the days ahead.

As I move into the unwritten chapter ahead I am referring often to God’s Word for strength and direction, perhaps this morning God’s promise to Joshua, who was also starting a new chapter of leadership, will encourage you, as it has been encouraging me:

“Your territory will extend from the desert to Lebanon, and from the great river, the Euphrates—all the Hittite country—to the Great Sea ^[^a^] on the west. No one will be able to stand up against you all the days of your life. As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you. Be strong and courageous, because you will lead these people to inherit the land I swore to their forefathers to give them”. — Joshua 1:4-6

I will be praying and watching how God continues to guide and direct the future of this great, great vessel of ministry.

In Christ Alone! — Pastor Julia Fowler

What's Next

2010-01-15T10:43:00.001-06:00

by Julia Fowler, Worship Arts Pastor

Test: “¹³Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, ¹⁴I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.” (Phil. 3:13-14)

In the television series The West Wing, fictional president Josiah Bartlet regularly ended staff meetings with two words—“What’s next?” It was his way of signaling that he was finished with one issue and ready to move forward onto other concerns. The pressures and responsibilities of life in the White House demanded that he not focus on what was in the rear-view mirror—he needed to keep his eyes ahead, moving forward to what was next. (Our Daily Bread)

The past holds many truths, revelations, experiences, tragedy and joys and there is value in ‘what was’, but our focus in life cannot be on what is behind. Much in the same way that you would never get in your car, put it into drive and then turn around to watch the road sail past behind you. We cannot stop the progressive nature of this life to move forward—it is marching ahead with or without your attention. This is why I find Paul’s testimony here in Philippians 3 so encouraging – He basically says, look, I haven’t mastered this yet but this is what I’m striving to do: stop focusing on what ‘has been’ and strain, or make an EXTREME EFFORT to look, see and then to move in a future/forward direction. Forward is where God is going, and my eyes are fixed on Him. Paul learned that it wasn’t so much about the ‘what had been’ but rather that it was all about the ‘what’s next!’.

There are many days of uncertainly ahead for all of us, but if God is for us then who can be against us? Keep your eyes fixed on him, your focus set on His direction, and He will guide your paths! Stay flexible, stay committed, stay positive and he will show you ‘what’s next!’

Changing Course

2010-01-07T11:08:00.001-06:00

by Julia Fowler, Worship Arts Pastor

Test: “Guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long.” (Psalm 25:5)

"One night an Admiral on a US Navy Battleship ordered a certain course. The navigation officer, seeing a light in the distance, reported that the battleship now seemed to be on a collision course with another ship. So the Admiral ordered his radio officer to send a message to the on-coming ship that it should change its course 10 degrees to the south. The reply came simply, 'No. You change YOUR course 10 degrees to the south.' After two more unsuccessful exchanges, the Admiral, now quite furious, came thundering into the radio control room, grabbed the microphone, and bellowed into it, 'Do you know that you are talking to an ADMIRAL in the UNITED STATES NAVY!' After a brief moment of silence, the even tempered reply came back, 'Sir, do you know that YOU are talking to the lighthouse?'"

It’s a great illustration of how I handle so many situations in my own life. I confess I like things to be in order and I like having a plan—I also like plans that are well thought out, orderly and dependable with minimal risk or calculation for error—did I mention, that’s what I LIKE!

Since early in life I learned I don’t always get what I like. I’ve had to adapt to expecting more flexible results (mind you, that doesn’t change the first part of my equation). God made me in the part of His image that means to be more organized, professionally planned and reasonable, BUT when he tells me to change direction I believe he’s telling me to do so for my benefit! As in the case of the Admiral’s Battleship, the lighthouse feedback was not merely meant to disrupt or even tick off the Admiral. The warning was to change course so that devastation could be avoided.

Now don’t read too much into all this, it’s just what the Lord put on my heart today. Sometimes we think that changes course means total annihilation of the previous plan. It seems awkward and strange and scary and so our gut reaction is to stay on the course we planned for ourselves to be on. I know many of you can testify to this very idea – you thought it was going to go one way, and low and behold it wound up taking you down a path you never imagined. I think this is why David wrote so many verses and passages underlined with repeated surrender to God’s way, his truth and his sovereignty. God can be very much like the lighthouse for us—he sees exactly where we are and fortunately, if we will listen, he knows exactly what feedback to give us to correct our course and keep us from otherwise certain troubles. He cares for us, loves us, wants to see us succeed in the deepest way. It is worth it to put our hope in him, as David wrote, “All day long”, because he is our God and He is good!

Whether it’s a 10 degree correction or just a simple nudge, keep an open ear to how the Lord might want to change your course.

Proper Life Management vs. Selfishness

2009-12-09T11:49:00.000-06:00

by Julia Fowler, Worship Arts Pastor

Text: “Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves.” Philippians 2:3 NASB

This verse seems rather appropriate to me for the season at hand. At first glace Paul's verse sounds like instruction to not do anything for ourselves: no new jeans, no trips to the hair dresser, no computer software, games, or anything that could be perceived self-serving. But if we walked away with this perspective we would be in error, and miss the greater truth Paul was trying to help us realize.

Max Lucado helps give us some perspective: The word the apostle uses for selfishness shares a root form with the words strife and contentious. It suggests a self-preoccupation that hurts others. A divisive arrogance. In fact, first-century writers used the word to describe a politician who procured office by illegal manipulation or a harlot who seduced the client, demeaning both herself and him…

The truth is that looking after yourself, your family, and your interest is responsible: it is proper life management. BUT that is to be coupled with an exterior consideration for the world at large. Our goal as Christians is to be inclusive with the world around us--to not only look after our interests but also the interests of others. If our interests are only self-serving, or our only interest is to provide for ourselves to the exclusion of others, than we have in fact fallen into a pattern of selfishness that should be addressed and confessed.

Again. Looking after your personal interests is proper life management. Doing so to the exclusion of the rest of the world is selfishness.

In your gift giving and all that you do, remember to keep others in mind as well and that will be pleasing to the Lord.

Desperate Days

2009-12-02T13:18:00.001-06:00

by Rev. S. Chadwick
Source: http://www.crosswalk.com/devotionals/desert/ (December 2, 2009)

Text: "But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him." (Heb. 11:6).

The faith for desperate days.

The Bible is full of such days. Its record is made up of them, its songs are inspired by them, its prophecy is concerned with them, and its revelation has come through them.

The desperate days are the stepping-stones in the path of light. They seem to have been God's opportunity and man's school of wisdom.

There is a story of an Old Testament love feast in Psalm 107, and in every story of deliverance the point of desperation gave God His chance. The "wit's end" of desperation was the beginning of God's power. Recall the promise of seed as the stars of heaven, and as the sands of the sea, to a couple as good as dead. Read again the story of the Red Sea and its deliverance, and of Jordan with its ark standing mid-stream. Study once more the prayers of Asa, Jehoshaphat, and Hezekiah, when they were sore pressed and knew not what to do. Go over the history of Nehemiah, Daniel, Hosea, and Habakkuk. Stand with awe in the darkness of Gethsemane, and linger by the grave in Joseph's garden through those terrible days. Call the witnesses of the early Church, and ask the apostles the story of their desperate days.

Desperation is better than despair.

Faith did not make our desperate days. Its work is to sustain and solve them. The only alternative to a desperate faith is despair, and faith holds on and prevails.

There is no more heroic example of desperate faith than that of the three Hebrew children. The situation was desperate, but they answered bravely, "Our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning, fiery furnace; and he will deliver us out of thine hand, O king. But if not, be it known unto thee, O king, that we will not serve thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up." I like that, "but if not !"

I have only space to mention Gethsemane. Ponder deeply its "Nevertheless." "If it is possible…nevertheless!" Deep darkness had settled upon the soul of our Lord. Trust meant anguish unto blood and darkness to the descent of hell--Nevertheless! Nevertheless!!

Opportunity to Communicate

2009-11-24T17:30:00.001-06:00

By Julia Fowler, Worship Arts Pastor

Three retirees, each with hearing loss, were taking a walk one fine March day. One remarked to the other, “Windy, ain’t it?” “NO,” the second man replied, “It’s Thursday”. To which the third chimed in, “So am I, let’s have a Coke.”

Sometimes the wheels of communication are quite literally the mirror of this corny joke. For some things, such as the name of the day, or whether one’s thirsty or not, the clarity of the message isn’t really all that important. There are, however, other items in life that do beg for correction when error occurs in its communication.

This holiday season I think we need to be very clear about a few different things.

First, regardless of what any advertisement, company policy or political agenda tries to tell you, this season is all about Christ and we who love him and stand up for him should have no apologies to make for speaking the truth.

Second, Christ came so that ALL might be saved. Not a certain group of people … regardless … and period.

Third, gift giving is not of the devil! HOWEVER, over spending and spending outside your means (in other words purchasing on credit that you can’t pay cash for when the bill is due) is irresponsible.

Because this season is about HIM, and because we want to continue the work he started (seeing that all people are saved) we want to honor him in all that we do this holiday season: even in our gift giving. The most precious gift you could ever offer doesn’t cost you a penny because it’s already been paid for. Jesus Christ is the more absolute, perfect, one size fits all gift you could ever offer to anyone and I encourage you this year, with all the courage you can muster, to give HIM out like crazy this year!

Enjoy his presence instead of being so worried about presents! Love Him, worship Him, take the opportunities that come your way to communicate clearly His message of hope this year!

Enabled To Achieve The Goal

2009-11-11T15:11:00.001-06:00

By Julia Fowler, Worship Arts Pastor

“Obviously, I’m not trying to win the approval of people, but of God. If pleasing people were my goal, I would not be Christ’s servant.” - Galations 1:10 NLT

Trying to gain the approval of people is impossible and yet Paul’s goal isn’t to please people it’s to gain approval from God! Very often, God’s will and man’s will are opposed to each other, and here’s where the tension arises. Jesus said, “What is highly valued among men is detestable in God’s sight.” (Luke 16:15) The truth is that our value system just isn’t exactly the same as God’s . But there is hope.

As believers and followers of Christ we do have to remember that we are equipped with the power of the Holy Spirit to live by God’s standards and not the world’s. God’s Word reassures us that God is just and fair and that he doesn’t set us up for failure, in fact he sets unique marks for each one of us to strive towards and they are always goals that are attainable for us individually.

So don’t give up, don’t give in or distracted by worldly opinion and standards. Keep your eyes fixed on the mark that your heavenly father has set for you and you’ll always come out a winner!

Six Impossible Things Before Breakfast

2009-11-04T13:45:00.001-06:00

By Julia Fowler, Worship Arts Pastor

“There is no use trying,” said Alice. “One can’t believe impossible things.” “I dare say you haven’t had much practice,” said the Queen. “When I was your age, I always did it for half an hour a day. Why, sometimes I’ve believed as many as six impossible things before breakfast.” - Lewis Carroll

This simple quote comes from the familiar story of Alice in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll. I’ve read it several times in my youth but stumbled across this passage again just this week. I wonder sometimes really what holds us back from dreaming about the impossible. Is it that we’ve lost our ability to dream or has that ability truly been diminished as a result of our option-less culture. I don’t believe our ability to dream has been lost, but I do believe we have become lazy at exercising our creativity.

The best part of this statement by the Queen is the playful and yet serious candor with which she challenges Alice’s thinking. When she replies with her goal to think “as many as six impossible things before breakfast” my response is to chuckle, followed by a moment of true consideration: what if I did that every day? What impossible things could I think of before breakfast and how would that impact the way I responded to or lived within the moments that would follow.

Our God is a God of impossibilities – we say it but I often find myself challenged to truly believe it. Perhaps this once we could take some Godly advice from this dear Queen and put our creativity to the test. Dare to think of some impossible things and then take notice of how they transform into the realm of possibility. Ask the ultimate Creator to inspire you today!

Clothing Worth Wearing

2009-10-16T09:29:00.001-06:00

By Julia Fowler, Worship Arts Pastor

Text: Colossians 3:12—“Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.”

"The truth is, many of us go around thinking we are right about everything. When God was in the Garden, I'll bet Adam and Eve didn't know what it felt like to want to be right. I'll be they felt right all the time, and I'll bet it had nothing to do with what they knew and everything to do with who they knew, as though whatever it was inside them that said they didn't think right or feel right or believe right was activated only after God left." - Donald Miller, 'Searching For God Knows What'

Can you even imagine what it would be like to not know sin? Can you imagine not being able to comprehend the concept of right and wrong? In perfect Eden, there was no need to fight for or find righteousness, because Adam and Eve were already clothed in the righteousness of God; they were freed from both guilt and sin.

It was only after they listened to the voice of that deceiving snake and ate from the fruit of the tree of good and evil that their eyes were opened and scripture tells us "they realized they were naked”. At that very moment they were essentially striped of God’s righteousness and they became aware of their nakedness—devoid of God and their sin was exposed.

One of my favorite verses is found in the book of Colossians. Paul describes a few small but mighty characteristics saying that we should “clothe” ourselves with these essential items – compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Clothed in these ‘must haves’ and by the power of God at work in us, we are restored.

Becoming aware of our nakedness before God is the first step in the process of being restored by his righteousness. When our spiritual eyes are opened and we recognize that we have no right-ness of our own, we then can emotionally, mentally, and spiritually choose to be clothed in the Lord’s protective covering and stand firm.

Perhaps you are questioning the spiritual clothing you are wearing today. Perhaps now is even an appropriate time to take a quick inventory to assess whether you are dressed in his righteousness today.

Ask yourself, today am I being compassionate?

Am I showing kindness to others?

Is my attitude humble and my approach in speech and actions gentle?

Am I being patient?

God is ready at all time to cover you with his wonderful righteousness. Allow Him the opportunity to cover you today!

Faith Into Action

2009-10-07T20:05:00.001-06:00

By Julia Fowler, Worship Arts Pastor

Text: “Faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.” James 2:17, NIV

“Faith and works should travel side by side, step answering to step, like the legs of men walking. First faith, and then works; and then faith again, and then works again—until they can scarcely distinguish which is the one and which is the other.” –William Booth, October 5, 1992.

No matter who you are in life, what you do, your level of income, your status at work, your heritage, your preferences, your lifestyle, race, creed, whatever it is that makes you, you is wonderfully, uniquely and miraculously put together for a two-fold purpose. The serve God and to edify others.

We know what service to God means—it means obeying him in everything we do, and living a life that allows Him to be at the center of everything we do. It means watching for and listening for opportunities to share God’s great love and mercy with other people. Edifying others is the ‘how’ we do the service part. We have all been given particular gifts and graces to utilize in the world in which we are placed that give us the best chance to reach those we come in contact with. Edifying others is building them up, teaching them, instructing them through the means of our abilities and towards God.

These two things must go hand in hand, and are partnered with Faith and putting it into action. Our service to God is stimulated by our faith. Our faith is the fuel that fans the flames of our desire to obey God and to ‘serve’ Him by putting our ‘gifts’ into action and edifying others. It’s really quite a marvelous combination of abilities when they are put to use as they are designed to.

Our responsibility is to keep the marvelous plan in place – believing and then exercising our faith through taking action.

I’m praying for you today that you are edified through this reminder to walk, putting one foot in front of the other, coupling faith with action to bring God glory! God will be with you in whatever you do, so put yourself to good use for Him and for the good of the entire body.

Go in His strength today!

Faith Into Action

2009-10-07T16:17:00.000-06:00

By Julia Fowler, Worship Arts Pastor

Text: “Faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.” James 2:17, NIV

Our responsibility is to keep the marvelous plan in place – believing and then exercising our faith through taking action.

Go in His strength today!

Absolutely Confident!

2009-10-01T11:42:00.001-06:00

By Julia Fowler, Worship Arts Pastor

Texts: Matthew 19:26 “Jesus looked at them and said, "With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”

Jeremiah 32:17 "Ah, Sovereign LORD, you have made the heavens and the earth by your great power and outstretched arm. Nothing is too hard for you.”

I little bird forwarded me some great advice this morning. In her email she shared a devotional from the book titled ”God Calling”. In synopsis it read…

“Wisdom” As thy days so shall thy strength be. I have promised that for every day you live, the strength shall be given to you. Do not fear. Face each difficulty sure that the wisdom and strength will be given you for it. Claim it. Rely on Me to keep My Promise about this In My Universe, for every task I give one of My children, there is set aside all that is necessary for its performance. So why fear? So why doubt?

Such wonderful advice and presented to us as if it were spoken by the mouth of God.

I had listened to a message earlier this week by Andy Stanley, during which he addressed the audience with this one remarkable question, “What would anyone do, given your situation, your gifts, your talents, your position, if they were in your circumstance and they were ABSOLUTELY CONFIDENT God was WITH them?” Read it again, because the question is being asked to you today:

“What would anyone do, given your situation, your gifts, your talents, your position, if they were in your circumstance and they were ABSOLUTELY CONFIDENT God was WITH them?”

I know for myself, this question released me from a lot of worry! When I am ABSOLUTELY CONFIDENT God is with me, I feel invincible. When I am ABSOLUETLYE CONFIDENT God is with me, I don’t fret about tomorrow. I don’t fear my present circumstances, I don’t wrestle with doubt and I don’t dread decision making. I don’t second guess my responses when I hear him give me direction and I don’t cower to the whispers, schemes or manipulations of the enemy, because I am ABSOLUTELY CONFIDENT the God of the universe IS WITH ME.

Matthew 19:26 records this small but POWERFUL statement made by Jesus to those he was with… he says, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible."

Wouldn’t it be absolutely remarkable IF we could truly grasp the fullness of what this message means. We can LIVE ABSOLUTELY CONFIDENT that God is WITH us and that when God is WITH US all things are possible!!!!!!!

Friends I hate to say it but, we give in and we give up to easy. GOD, almighty GOD is with us, why not go for the impossible and see what happens.

Jeremiah 32:17 "Ah, Sovereign LORD, you have made the heavens and the earth by your great power and outstretched arm. Nothing is too hard for you.”

Why Worry?

2009-09-23T17:34:00.001-06:00

By Julia Fowler, Worship Arts Pastor

Text: Matthew 6:34 (NIV) – “Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.”

I can’t tell you how many times I have either read or heard this verse repeated and yet for whatever reason still worry about tomorrow, and the next day, the next month, the next year... and on it goes. Seems like we’re all in the same boat when it comes to worry. We worry about finances, worry about jobs, about relationships, what we’ll wear, who we’ll see, who we won’t see, what our children will do, who’ll they will be, how we’ll be perceived, the state of our health, the shape of our future, the consequences of our past. Worry often holds us captive to its mesmerizing scenario of what if’s, so why do we do it? Matthew 6:27 says, “Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?” C. S. Lewis wrote, “The future is something which everyone reaches at the rate of sixty minutes an hour, whatever he does, whoever he is.”

The apostle Paul suggests we replace this useless habit with a more productive mindset when he writes, “Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.” (Phil. 4:8)

My encouragement to you and to myself this week is to confront the issue of worrying with this alternative. Each time you find yourself stressed about things that haven’t happened yet, things you have no control over, try replacing those thoughts with what you do know – think about the Lord, think about His goodness and what’s He’s brought you through already. Think about things that are worth your praise and worship. Turn your suffering into rejoicing, and your doubt into praise. God keeps His promises: He will never leave you or forsake you, He will work all things together in his time and for your good!

Why Worry?

2009-09-23T14:30:00.001-06:00

By Julia Fowler, Worship Arts Pastor

Text: Matthew 6:34 (NIV) – “Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.”

This Day!

2009-09-17T08:11:00.001-06:00

By Julia Fowler, Worship Arts Pastor

Text: Psalm 118:24 “This is the day the LORD has made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.”

It’s always a choice. Oh we are certainly confronted with days full of conflict, misery, obstacles, confusion, doubt and the list goes on and on, still rejoicing and being glad in the day you have been given to enjoy, regardless of your circumstances, IS a choice!

I started off the Sunday evening service this past week with this little chorus not realizing the impact it would have on my week. The declaration to commit to rejoicing is hard and yet necessary. Life is going to throw you numerous amounts of curve balls – you can count on it, but your response to rejoice and be glad must be consistent if you want to have the power to preserver in the times that are the toughest.

In his book, Fear Not by Max Lucado he writes, “This is the day” includes every day. Divorce days, final-exam days, surgery days, tax days. Sending-your-firstborn-off-to-college days. God mad this day, ordained this hard hour, designed the details of this wrenching moment. He isn’t on holiday. He still holds the conductor’s baton, sits in the cockpit, and occupies the universe’s only throne. Every day emerges from God’s drawing room. Including this one.”

Perhaps you need to hear more encouragement today that God is near you. Max is offering everyone the opportunity to read through the first chapter of his new book and you can download a PDF copy of it by clicking on the link below. Let me know if you wind up reading it and how it helped to encourage you to rest and rejoice in the day God has given you, no matter what!

http://www.crosswalk.com/devotionals/upwords/

A 'tweet' devotional

2009-09-10T15:02:00.001-06:00

By Julia Fowler, Worship Arts Pastor

Text: Mat. 11:28 “Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest”.

“As with many new communications tools Twitter is already a productive source of new vocabulary. The messages are "tweets"; the people signed up to get them are your followers - or tweeple, or tweeps (although there are people pushing twerps and twits as the proper nomenclature).

The Twittersphere (or Twitterverse) includes both the Twitterati (or Tweetstars) who have lots and lots of followers, and those who have just a few. It even includes tworkers - people whose jobs involve using Twitter.

A twoosh is a message that fits the maximum of 140 characters exactly, without editing; there are also mistweets, retweets, and - when sent under the influence of alcohol - "dweets."

Twittering too much may get you accused of Twitterhea, or cause your tweeple to "unfollow" you. Unfollowing might also be the punishment for other breaches of Twitiquette, such as using Twitter to send spam tweets (or speets).

The convention of replacing the first letter of any word with "tw" to signify some kind of connection to Twitter can end up sounding like a stream of semi-demented baby talk. The words twaiting, twalking, twiking, and twirting for waiting, walking, biking, or flirting while using Twitter show up mainly in lists of words about Twitter, and not so much in actual unselfconscious use.” (Source: http://www.boston.com/bostonglobe/ideas/articles/2009/02/08/all_a_twitter/)

All in all this ‘simple’ form of communication has quite a diverse and comprehensive protocol in order to reach its ultimate goal – relationship. Unfortunately the virtual kind we are trying to escape to is cold and void of the very thing we truly desire. Jesus said, “Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.”

While I too enjoy the conversations, fellowship and fun that can be shared through these experiences I am reminded that these cannot be a substitute for the authentic relationship I must nurture with my Savior.

I encourage you to evaluate how much time you are spending in the virtual world, versus the real one. Spend some time with the Lord and ask Him to help you balance appropriately between the two

Under Pressure!

2009-09-04T09:53:00.001-06:00

By Julia Fowler, Worship Arts Pastor

Text: James 1:12-14 (The Message)

”¹²Anyone who meets a testing challenge head-on and manages to stick it out is mighty fortunate. For such persons loyally in love with God, the reward is life and more life. ^13-15Don't let anyone under pressure to give in to evil say, "God is trying to trip me up." God is impervious to evil, and puts evil in no one's way. The temptation to give in to evil comes from us and only us. We have no one to blame but the leering, seducing flare-up of our own lust. Lust gets pregnant, and has a baby: sin! Sin grows up to adulthood, and becomes a real killer.”

I hear it all the time. People facing the repercussions of dangerous or unhealthily choices then asking, “why is God doing this to me?” Often this misplaced responsibility is thrown at God – I think it’s just easy and natural for us to blame someone else. James clarifies the truth between God’s tests towards believers who are working out their faith versus our misplacing responsibility on God when we choose to do evil or we make sinful decisions that have unfortunate consequences.

In James he basically writes, hey look, God is going to allow sometimes to come into your life that are hard but if you hang in there and are loyal to follow God with all your heart anyway, there’s a great reward – a blessing – life now and life eternally. BUT don’t blame God for the circumstances and hardships you cause yourself because you give in to doing things that aren’t Godly. You are responsible for your own actions and therefore you are responsible for the results of those actions. Grow up! Take responsibility. Turn back to God and he will help you. This doesn’t mean everything will immediately go “all good”, but it does mean at least you’ll be heading in the right direction again, and maybe avoid some further mistakes and rough consequences to come.

Keeping our eyes fixed on Jesus, even under pressure helps us in our times of weakness. If you are feeling under pressure this week, I encourage you to face it knowing God is with you in all circumstances. He will give you the strength and peace you need to overcome.

Blessings. Julia

Influence

2009-08-20T10:34:00.001-06:00

By Julia Fowler, Worship Arts Pastor

Text: 2 Timothy 3:1-9

Godlessness in the Last Days

“¹But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. ²People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, ³without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, ⁴treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God— ⁵having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with them.

⁶They are the kind who worm their way into homes and gain control over weak-willed women, who are loaded down with sins and are swayed by all kinds of evil desires, ⁷always learning but never able to acknowledge the truth. ⁸Just as Jannes and Jambres opposed Moses, so also these men oppose the truth—men of depraved minds, who, as far as the faith is concerned, are rejected. ⁹But they will not get very far because, as in the case of those men, their folly will be clear to everyone.”

I realize the weight of this text is far more than I can address in a single devotional, however after reading through this last letter of Paul’s again today I am prompted to point out one small details within the whole.

In this letter Paul is giving some advice to young Timothy (a new preacher and witness for Christ). In chapter 3 Paul strongly encourages Timothy to be careful about the types of people he chooses to build relationships with. Paul, of all people, understood the importance of witnessing to everyone and obviously that meant hanging in places where non-believers would be. But the advice he is giving Timothy here is more about guarding himself from people who will drag Him down into the pit with them. He is reminding Timothy that he needs to guard his heart and recognize that there are some people who are really pretty rotten through and through. Now that is really hard for me to hear because I want to see the hopefulness in everyone! But again, he’s not saying give up on those people, he’s not saying don’t ever spend time with them, He is saying have some Godly sense not to be influenced by the wrong people--beware of smooth talk; watch out for those who look like they are talking about truth but who really aren’t; watch out for people who say they have your best interests at heart but don’t really have your back. He’s saying remember to always be seeking the truth with the help of the Holy Spirit and keep your eyes fixed on the prize (that’s Jesus Christ).

Adonai is His name

2009-08-11T21:08:00.001-06:00

By Julia Fowler, Worship Arts Pastor

The song Adonai has recently become one of my favorite spiritual songs. It references this name of God in a beautiful way, but I'm often ask by individuals what in the world the name means.

In the Hebrew the word Adonai simply means Lord: a name that implies and signifies that a relationship exists between the owner of the name (Adonai) and the one who speaks it. A quick search of the term in the Hebrew scriptures indicates that this particular word appears more than 300 times. An even further search indicates that the word Adonai signifies a relationship much like that of a master to a servant. When we approach God using this name we are approaching Him acknowledging that He is the one in charge, and rightfully so. Later on in the New Testament Jesus Himself models for us the type of relationship with Adonai that should exist. He prays, "Not my will, but Thine" before he faces His most difficult hour. He surrenders all that he is so that God, in His fullness, would be glorified. (NIV Luke 22:42)

When we sing "Ever I will sing, only you will I adore, glorify my Lord, only you will I serve" our words are declaring our intent to be submissive to this type of relationship with God.

I know that being a servant is not the easiest thing in the world-probably not the 2^nd or 3^rd easiest either-sometimes it is downright miserable. But fortunately Jesus gave us some excellent examples, and He also gave us brothers and sisters (in Christ) who can also help us when times get tough and we forget who's we are. Well I hope this helped to clear up some of the questions regarding this name of the Lord and more importantly hope it will help you to think more about what it means the next time you hear it or sing it! :)

Giving Up!

2009-08-06T17:03:00.001-06:00

By Julia Fowler, Worship Arts Pastor

Text: Psalm 61:1-8,

“^1-2God, listen to me shout, bend an ear to my prayer. When I'm far from anywhere, down to my last gasp, I call out, "Guide me up High Rock Mountain!" ^3-5 You've always given me breathing room, a place to get away from it all, A lifetime pass to your safe-house, an open invitation as your guest. You've always taken me seriously, God, made me welcome among those who know and love you. ^6-8 Let the days of the king add up to years and years of good rule. Set his throne in the full light of God; post Steady Love and Good Faith as lookouts, And I'll be the poet who sings your glory—and live what I sing every day.”

This is a great text for us to look at this week. I love that in the worst of times (and in the best of times) God is never more than a cry away – in fact he is even closer than that. My guess is that when David wrote this particular Psalm he might have been hiding out in a cave. Probably surrounded by bat poop, damp wet, hadn’t showered in a while and I’m sure that loin cloth probably needed a good soaking, and yet he chooses to yes, acknowledges his frustrations, but also acknowledge his trust in an awesome providing, nurturing, and stable God. Giving up just wasn’t an option he was willing to entertain.

David makes the choice again to put his focus on God instead of his circumstances. This doesn’t mean and it certainly doesn’t suggest a dismissal or a ‘brushing under the rug’ mentality to life or the problems he realistically had to face. David is very open with God – always taking him his feelings, his circumstances and frustrations, but he is equally mindful to re-focus his line of site back on the main goal. David recognized his mission in life was going to incur some painful bruising but that in the end he would always have a lifetime pass to your [God’s] safe-house, and that in the end God was his strength and purpose for existing anyway.

You and I incredibly have this same opportunity—God awaits our arrival at his lap. He’s betting on our being victorious and he will help us in the exact times we need it, if we will choose to put our hope, our trust in him and decide on never giving up!

You're gonna serve somebody

2009-07-31T16:44:00.001-06:00

By Julia Fowler, Worship Arts Pastor

Word Perfect is the number 1 computer word processor with over 7 million registered users. In poll after poll, it is the word processor of choice among computer users. It isn't that Word Perfect's product is superior to anything else on the market—it isn't that the price is lower. Word Perfect is number 1 because of its superior service. One-third of the company's employees, 750 in total, are trained and equipped to handle customer questions and problems. They deal with more than 16,000 toll-free calls each day at a cost of half-a-million dollars in long distance charges per month. Word Perfect's operators are on call 11 hours per day and can be reached at over 25 different 1-800 numbers. Corporate policy is not to have any customer on hold for more than 60 seconds; so far this year, the average wait time is about 41 seconds. Word Perfect has discovered that service is the key to its success. Somehow Corel Word Perfect Corporation has identified, recognized and has acted on the principle of serving—they get it and they are reaping great monetary and temporal rewards for basing their existing on such value.

Jesus also based his entire life’s work on the value of service as well—of course the stakes were much higher and the reward much more priceless. The apostle Paul writes the following in the Bible book of Philippians:

“¹If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, ²then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose. ³Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. ⁴Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others. ⁵Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: ⁶Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, ⁷but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. ⁸And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death—even death on a cross! ⁹Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, ¹⁰that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, ¹¹and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”

Christ’s mind, attitude and actions were all motivated by a deep rooted desire to serve! His love for the Father, and for all of humanity was poured out through the action of service towards other people. You and I are also called to this great assignment but as was the case even with Christ, the choice is ours to choose whom we will serve.

The truth is that choosing to do nothing, is still doing something—the something you have chosen to do is nothing. Joshua faced confrontation with the Israelite people much along these same lines over 3000 years ago. The book of Joshua continues to chronicle the story of the Israelites after their exodus from Egypt and describes for us approximately 20 years of Joshua’s leadership after Moses anointed him at the end of Deuteronomy. In the final chapter of the book after the Israel nation finally enters their promised land and divides the treasures they find there Joshua’s departure speech includes the following exhortation to the people:

“¹⁴ "Now fear the LORD and serve him with all faithfulness. Throw away the gods your forefathers worshiped beyond the River and in Egypt, and serve the LORD. ¹⁵ But if serving the LORD seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your forefathers served beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the LORD. ¹⁶ Then the people answered, "Far be it from us to forsake the LORD to serve other gods! ¹⁷ It was the LORD our God himself who brought us and our fathers up out of Egypt, from that land of slavery, and performed those great signs before our eyes. He protected us on our entire journey and among all the nations through which we traveled. ¹⁸ And the LORD drove out before us all the nations, including the Amorites, who lived in the land. We too will serve the LORD, because he is our God." – Joshua 24:14-18 (niv)

If our statement of faith remains faithful to those of our forefathers then we must follow our choice with action. Far too often we have been found staring up the staircase steps, surveying the climb ahead, which is often necessary, but then neglectfully have never made a move to actually ascend. Now is the time for the Church (God’s Chosen People) to reclaim the promise made by our forefathers, to throw off the things we know to hinder us and start climbing! We’re going to serve someone regardless. Remember that no man can serve two masters: “it may be the devil or it may be the Lord, but you’re gonna serve somebody”. Why not choose to make your service top-notch and eternally rewarding. “Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ” and get out there!

It’s your journey

2009-07-08T13:33:00.000-06:00

By Julia Fowler, Worship Arts Pastor

TEXT: Colossians 2:6-8

"So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness. See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the basic principles of this world rather than on Christ."

I've spent quite a bit of time this week reading various items. One has been the latest edition of Worship Leader magazine. It's not always remarkably inspiring, but sometimes has a good thought of truth here or there. I've re-read a section of a book titled Searching for God Knows What by Donald Miller and just barely started the book Pastor Laura has recommended to the church The Present Future by Reggie McNeal. The other book I try to always include in my reading schedule is God's Word. I find I need to balance the "truths" I read elsewhere with the truths that I know are present in scripture and for me I choose to measure those much in the same way of John Wesley with reason, considering what has been traditionally taught or accepted, my own experience and with scripture.

Lately I have returned to the book of Colossians. Even though it is short, it is meaty – in other words, it's a main course book!

When I read verses such as the ones I've highlighted today I remember that this life is a one ride ticket, followed by this confronting question: "What am I doing with it?"

These v erses in Colossians say that we are to live in Christ, to be strengthened by what we are taught and to be overflowing with thankfulness for it all. Then it tells us to see to it that we're not taken off guard and filled up by other stuff that's not good for anything. For me today when I put these together hear the Spirit saying that we are going to get filled up by something in this life; every moment adds something to the cup be it Christ or something else. But Paul's reminding us to guard the cups of our lives and to see to it (in other words, be intentional guardians over your cup) to make sure it gets filled up by the right things… because either way it's going to overflow. You can overflow doubt or faith. You can overflow truth or lies. You can overflow encouragement or discouragement. You can overflow the joys of Jesus or the sorrow of sin. Whether intentional or not, your life, this one and only journey, is overflowing something onto the lives of those around you.

It's your journey… so perhaps today you need to consider, "what ARE you doing with it?"

The Scent of God’s Love

2009-07-02T14:27:00.001-06:00

By Julia Fowler, Worship Arts Pastor

As I walked down the hallway towards my office this morning I was aware that there was a new and distinct odor in the hallway. Scanning what little of it there is and the nearer I got to my office door I realized the scent was coming from a single stemmed beautifully, and fully-opened pale pink lily leaned against my door … along with it was a note.

It read simply… "Happy are those who hear the joyful call to worship, for they will walk in the light of your presence, Lord. They rejoice all day long in your wonderful reputation. They exult in your righteousness. You are their glorious strength. It pleases you to make as strong. Yes, Our protection comes from the Lord…" Psalms 89:15-18

What a blessing that scripture was to me this morning and it immediately spoke to my heart with this reminder. Anyone who has lily's in their garden, or who has ever been around a large group of these flowers knows the enormous amount of fragrance they can emanate together. It can actually be quite overwhelming. But even one single stem has incredible influence over the area in which it resides. I believe this is a remarkable example of how God intends the fragrance of our lives to effect the space in which we exist. Much like the scent of this one lily filled the hallway this morning, and fills my office even know, so our lives should be filled with such a beautiful perfume as God's love. This type of spirit dispensed in such a beautiful and dense fashion is undeniable and overwhelming to all who come in contact with it.

Be mindful today that the fragrance of your life is effecting the circles you influence – is the scent you are emanating sweet or bitter?

The Big Bad

2009-06-19T08:22:00.001-06:00

By Julia Fowler, Worship Arts Pastor

Most of you have probably never even heard of it before, but for a period of time I was really captivated by a show on television called Charmed. The premise was, like many shows, a battle between those who fight for the cause of good and those who fight to see evil prevail. In the show they often referred to an entity called “The Big Bad”. It was a mysterious and altogether illusive force of evil not to be reckoned with by anyone other than those who were charmed.

Many of you know I have struggled with fear (on many levels) for most of my life. For me, it is The Big Bad I am constantly petitioning God to confront. I also recognize that I am not the only one who suffers from this fear factor. So, in another attempt to bring truth to battle this force of darkness it seems divinely appointed that I share something I received just yesterday on this very subject.

I believe it’s brief but deep truth could be helpful for all of us today.

"Fear" — by Lou Tice
Nothing blocks change quite the way fear does, and when its power is greater than your power to push through it, fear is devastating. In his book, "Getting Unstuck," Dr. Sidney Simon discusses ten ways fear blocks change, and today I'd like to pass this information along to you.

Fear persuades you to do less than you are capable of doing. It triggers internal defense systems and fools you into thinking that you have perfectly good reasons not to change. Fear, particularly fear of making mistakes, causes indecisiveness and stops you from knowing what you really want. It warps your perception of your life and what you can do to make it better.

Fear keeps you from asking for help when you need it or benefiting from the emotional support offered to you. To calm your fears, you develop unhealthy habits and behavior patterns. Fear makes you give up one step short of your goal. And finally, fear keeps you from taking the risks necessary for growth.

Fear can control your life if you let it. But you can push through it if you can relax physically and mentally, and develop the habit of taking well-chosen risks - small ones at first, then bigger ones. Affirmations and visualizations are a great help too. If you get into the habit of vividly seeing yourself achieve success, you can overcome the paralyzing effects of fear and move confidently into the good life you deserve.

What types of fears do you have that are preventing you from positive change?

Breakthrough in prayer

2009-06-11T08:52:00.001-06:00

By Julia Fowler, Worship Arts Pastor

Last week I shared briefly about the importance of our fellowship with God through the means of Prayer (talking to God). My perspectives are still being developed on just how our communication with God affects circumstances and/or how this unique fellowship with the Creator of the Universe effectively changes us. What I do believe with all my heart is that there is power in prayer and that as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, we are to be clothed by his character; his mindset. How can we be clothed in Him if we do not know Him?

We can only truly know the Lord if and when we commit to regular and consistent times of intimacy with Him.

I was reading this week through some sermon's of John Piper's. In one on the issue of prayer he expresses the following to his congregation:

"I hate the devil, and the way he is killing some of you by persuading you it is legalistic to be as regular in your prayers as you are in your eating and sleeping and Internet use. Do you not see what a sucker he his making out of you? He is laughing up his sleeve at how easy it is to deceive Christians about the importance of prayer.

God has given us means of grace. If we do not use them to their fullest advantage, our complaints against him will not stick. If we don't eat, we starve. If we don't drink, we get dehydrated. If we don't exercise a muscle, it atrophies. If we don't breathe, we suffocate. And just as there are physical means of life, there are spiritual means of grace. Resist the lies of the devil … and get a bigger breakthrough in prayer than you've ever had."

I think this is great and important advice—resist the lies of the devil and get the bigger breakthrough in prayer! Resist Him when he tries to convince you that your prayer is useless. Resist him when he implies or screams in your ear that somehow you have failed because your requests have seemingly gone unheard. Resist Him when He encourages you to withdraw your boldness. Resist Him when he knowingly and purposefully distracts you and steals your fellowship with your Savior.

Instead thank God all the more for His Lordship and perfect provisions. Thank God that He intervenes to work the threads of this life together miraculously. Give Him praise when the battle rages against you and those you love, because you trust and you know He will work it out the right, the best and good way. I think we have let the devil's lethargy captivate us too long and it is time to get back to being a people of prayer.

Come on friend, don't you think it's time for a little breakthrough!