I love living in a small town. I love going places and having people know my name. I love the many ways that our lives seem to intersect. Tonight I got to enjoy another small town perk. We all met at the local coffee ship and watched vacations slides. One of the town folks toured Europe this past summer.
It was fascinating, wonderful photos, good stories and most of all fun people. It is good to be part of the town and to be part of the ebb and flow of events and happenings. Tonight was a small thing, but I am finding that it meant a lot to me.
It makes me look with anticipation to the next community happening. This makes life sweet.
Just Connie
Thursday, February 24, 2011
Wednesday, February 23, 2011
Workout Thoughts
I worked out at the gym today. That is a very good thing. This is the first week I have gotten back to my workout schedule since I was sick in January. It really feels good to be back at it again. I am coming to realize that these workouts are a really important part of my health. I feel better when I work out both physically and emotionally.
I hate to admit it but given my age these workouts are even more important. I need to tone my body and drop some of the weight I have gained over the past two years. it is time to be more disciplined.
So I am going to keep walking, I am going to keep going to the gym. I am going to develop the disciplines that will help me be healthy and strong.
Why is it so hard to be disciplined?
Just Connie
I hate to admit it but given my age these workouts are even more important. I need to tone my body and drop some of the weight I have gained over the past two years. it is time to be more disciplined.
So I am going to keep walking, I am going to keep going to the gym. I am going to develop the disciplines that will help me be healthy and strong.
Why is it so hard to be disciplined?
Just Connie
Tuesday, February 22, 2011
Dog Days
I cradled Charlies big hairy head in my hands and listened to the vet with growing hope. Against all my expectations they are going to try a pain medication for Charlie and see if they can make her comfortable. I loaded her back into the car and with great joy took her home with me.
Once home, I unloaded the car and began my daily chores. Suddenly it dawned on me that Hope puppy was at the back door and Charlie was nowhere in sight. I looked out the window and stood there in stunned disbelief. The back fence was laying flat on the ground and Charlie was nowhere to be seen. I grabbed my coat and headed out into the sleet. I searched all of the abandoned tree farm behind the house and with a growing sense of panic I began to walk the streets. By then tears of panic had begun to fall. Charlie had no collar on, no tags, nothing that would identify her at all. I began to stop and ask people if they had seen a large sheepdog go by and then ... miracle of miracles people began to say,. "yes" they had seen her go by. Finally one man said, "yes I saw her and there is she is over there behind the fence." I couldn't believe it ... I called her name and her big wet hairy and very muddy head popped up from behind the fence. I slipped the collar over her head and tearfully began to retrace my steps home. Relief filling me with every step.
Putting Charlie in the house I went out to inspect the fence damage. It was a 10 foot section of 3 foot cedar fencing laying flat on the ground. I stood there in the rain and sleet and began to try to raise it. The longer I worked at it the more frustrated I became. Finally sinking down into the mud and resting my forehead on the fence, I faced the reality .... I could not fix the fence on my own.
I tearfully picked up the phone and called for the cavalry. So tomorrow I have help coming to help me. But I have to admit that I feel rather overwhelmed. It is these moments that I really feel my singleness. But I refuse to let this defeat me. I have people that love me. People who will help when there is need.
I am not alone.
Just Connie
Once home, I unloaded the car and began my daily chores. Suddenly it dawned on me that Hope puppy was at the back door and Charlie was nowhere in sight. I looked out the window and stood there in stunned disbelief. The back fence was laying flat on the ground and Charlie was nowhere to be seen. I grabbed my coat and headed out into the sleet. I searched all of the abandoned tree farm behind the house and with a growing sense of panic I began to walk the streets. By then tears of panic had begun to fall. Charlie had no collar on, no tags, nothing that would identify her at all. I began to stop and ask people if they had seen a large sheepdog go by and then ... miracle of miracles people began to say,. "yes" they had seen her go by. Finally one man said, "yes I saw her and there is she is over there behind the fence." I couldn't believe it ... I called her name and her big wet hairy and very muddy head popped up from behind the fence. I slipped the collar over her head and tearfully began to retrace my steps home. Relief filling me with every step.
Putting Charlie in the house I went out to inspect the fence damage. It was a 10 foot section of 3 foot cedar fencing laying flat on the ground. I stood there in the rain and sleet and began to try to raise it. The longer I worked at it the more frustrated I became. Finally sinking down into the mud and resting my forehead on the fence, I faced the reality .... I could not fix the fence on my own.
I tearfully picked up the phone and called for the cavalry. So tomorrow I have help coming to help me. But I have to admit that I feel rather overwhelmed. It is these moments that I really feel my singleness. But I refuse to let this defeat me. I have people that love me. People who will help when there is need.
I am not alone.
Just Connie
Monday, February 21, 2011
Dreading Tomorrow
I am sitting on the couch with a lap full of big hairy dog .... about 100 pounds of big hairy dog. Charlie seems content and happy. For me this is bittersweet. Tomorrow I take her into the vet. I am afraid that I will not be bringing her home with me.
It was just a few months ago that I found out that my 10 year old sheep dogs had a tumor in her head. She has done pretty well, but these last two weeks she seems to be failing. She seems uncomfortable and uneasy. She is restless and never sleeps for very long. Her discomfort seems to be growing. I do not want that for her. So tomorrow we have an appointment with the vet.
She has been a great companion and friend to me. She has pulled me up mountains, run alongside my skis and protected my back on dark and stormy nights. I am not ready for this to be over. My heart is heavy as I contemplate tomorrow.
This is a day I would like to skip ......
Just Connie
It was just a few months ago that I found out that my 10 year old sheep dogs had a tumor in her head. She has done pretty well, but these last two weeks she seems to be failing. She seems uncomfortable and uneasy. She is restless and never sleeps for very long. Her discomfort seems to be growing. I do not want that for her. So tomorrow we have an appointment with the vet.
She has been a great companion and friend to me. She has pulled me up mountains, run alongside my skis and protected my back on dark and stormy nights. I am not ready for this to be over. My heart is heavy as I contemplate tomorrow.
This is a day I would like to skip ......
Just Connie
Sunday, February 20, 2011
Purity
1 John 3:1-3
1 See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him. 2 Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when Christ appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is. 3 All who have this hope in him purify themselves, just as he is pure.
Purity ... God's call to his people. To purify ourselves, just as he is pure. But what does it take to live pure?
Heart Given Over to Jesus
“And you also were included in Christ when you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation. When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit”
Ephesians 1:13
Commitment
“4 Take delight in the LORD, and he will give you the desires of your heart.
5 Commit your way to the LORD; trust in him and he will do this: ” Psalm 37:5
Be in the Word
“Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation”
1 Peter 2:2
Diligence
“Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling” Philippians 2:12
Conclusion: We are what we eat.
“Finally, brothers and sisters, 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.” Philippians 4:8
To live pure we need to fill our life with what is pure and healthy. garbage in and garbage out. Purity is not an empty dream but a living reality. It is the outcome of a heart and life given to Christ and filled with the transforming presence of the Holy Spirit.
1 See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him. 2 Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when Christ appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is. 3 All who have this hope in him purify themselves, just as he is pure.
Purity ... God's call to his people. To purify ourselves, just as he is pure. But what does it take to live pure?
Heart Given Over to Jesus
“And you also were included in Christ when you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation. When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit”
Ephesians 1:13
Commitment
“4 Take delight in the LORD, and he will give you the desires of your heart.
5 Commit your way to the LORD; trust in him and he will do this: ” Psalm 37:5
Be in the Word
“Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation”
1 Peter 2:2
Diligence
“Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling” Philippians 2:12
Conclusion: We are what we eat.
“Finally, brothers and sisters, 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.” Philippians 4:8
To live pure we need to fill our life with what is pure and healthy. garbage in and garbage out. Purity is not an empty dream but a living reality. It is the outcome of a heart and life given to Christ and filled with the transforming presence of the Holy Spirit.
Thought for Today
Purity is more about being than doing.
Saturday, February 19, 2011
Quiet Day, Busy Night
I had a quiet day and a busy night. I slept in till 7 which is amazing for me and then laid around and read for several hours. I spent much of the day on the couch reading and watching TV. It has been ages since I have had a day like that. I really enjoyed it.
But then it was time to head to Sheridan for the Kiwanis Bingo night. I floated around and chatted and sold raffle tickets. Just about the time the Bingo was actually beginning it was time to head to the church. There I set up the tables for Sunday School and then prayed through the church. By then the musicians were there practicing and I spent time singing with them. I love this time on Saturday night. It lifts my heart and fills me with joy.
I headed home happy and contented. Sometimes it is really good to be busy. It fills my life with people and purpose and I think that is a very good thing.
Just Connie
But then it was time to head to Sheridan for the Kiwanis Bingo night. I floated around and chatted and sold raffle tickets. Just about the time the Bingo was actually beginning it was time to head to the church. There I set up the tables for Sunday School and then prayed through the church. By then the musicians were there practicing and I spent time singing with them. I love this time on Saturday night. It lifts my heart and fills me with joy.
I headed home happy and contented. Sometimes it is really good to be busy. It fills my life with people and purpose and I think that is a very good thing.
Just Connie
Thursday, February 17, 2011
Board Meeting
I had a church Board Meeting tonight. It was a long long meeting.Some meetings are like that. This was very long but very good. We just had a lot of stuff to wade through tonight.
One of the things we did was to look at a new ministry starting up and pledged $1,000 to help them start. We looked at ways that we can support church planting. We looked at the many ways that God is blessing us financially. We looked at a personnel problem and set some new protocols in place. We worked and planned and dreamed and looked with hope and expectation to the future.
I am excited about the people God has brought into leadership. This is a wonderful group of people. I think they will continue to do wonderful things in the days ahead.
I am ready for wonderful ... that sounds pretty good to me.
Just Connie
One of the things we did was to look at a new ministry starting up and pledged $1,000 to help them start. We looked at ways that we can support church planting. We looked at the many ways that God is blessing us financially. We looked at a personnel problem and set some new protocols in place. We worked and planned and dreamed and looked with hope and expectation to the future.
I am excited about the people God has brought into leadership. This is a wonderful group of people. I think they will continue to do wonderful things in the days ahead.
I am ready for wonderful ... that sounds pretty good to me.
Just Connie
Wednesday, February 16, 2011
Teaching
I taught a class tonight. That is nothing new, I teach lots of classes, but this class was really stimulating. I love it when people are really involved and there is lots of discussion going on. Tonight was like that. People have so much to share and I get so much from them during the class. It is one of the things I love most about teaching.
Those kind of classes fill me with energy and makes me feel like I can face anything.
So watch out world here I come!
Just Connie
Those kind of classes fill me with energy and makes me feel like I can face anything.
So watch out world here I come!
Just Connie
Tuesday, February 15, 2011
Annoyance
I am annoyed .... I can feel the irritation swirling around me. I do not like this feeling. But there it is ... like a sullen fog enclosing me in it's clammy grip.
There is a part of me that really wants to surrender to this feeling. After all, I should feel irritated, someone overstepped their authority and made my day much more difficult than it needed to be. But the other part of me says, "Step back, take a deep breath and let it go".
I really do not enjoy feeling like this .. so why would I not be willing to let it go? Why is it sooooo hard to let it go. For me I think it is a matter of giving up my "right" to be annoyed. I struggle at times with giving up those rights.
So tonight I am I am laying down my right to be annoyed. And in it's place I will be gaining peace. I think that is a pretty good trade off.
There is a part of me that really wants to surrender to this feeling. After all, I should feel irritated, someone overstepped their authority and made my day much more difficult than it needed to be. But the other part of me says, "Step back, take a deep breath and let it go".
I really do not enjoy feeling like this .. so why would I not be willing to let it go? Why is it sooooo hard to let it go. For me I think it is a matter of giving up my "right" to be annoyed. I struggle at times with giving up those rights.
So tonight I am I am laying down my right to be annoyed. And in it's place I will be gaining peace. I think that is a pretty good trade off.
Monday, February 14, 2011
Valentine's Day
Over the years I worked for the Mission in Salem, I grew some wonderful friends. One of them was my friend and hiking partner Debbie who passed away 3 years ago. Two of my other close friends were Donna my "assistant" and Chuck the Maintenence manager. Over the years we laughed and cried and worked hard, often in very difficult circumstances. They stood by me in the hard times and supported me through my husband's ups and downs.
Tonight they came for dinner and movies. We laughed and laughed and just enjoyed being together. I do not see nearly enough of them. They always lighten my heart and remind me that I am loved. That is a a wonderful feeling.
As I stood on the stairs and waved goodbye to them, I was filled with a sense of well being. The feeling of loving and being loved surrounded me. It reminded me that I need to carve out the time to do this on a regular basis. It is part of what will help me to flourish and grow.
It is good to love ... it is good to be loved
Tonight they came for dinner and movies. We laughed and laughed and just enjoyed being together. I do not see nearly enough of them. They always lighten my heart and remind me that I am loved. That is a a wonderful feeling.
As I stood on the stairs and waved goodbye to them, I was filled with a sense of well being. The feeling of loving and being loved surrounded me. It reminded me that I need to carve out the time to do this on a regular basis. It is part of what will help me to flourish and grow.
It is good to love ... it is good to be loved
Sunday, February 13, 2011
Life Skills
1 John 2:27-29
27 As for you, the anointing you received from him remains in you, and you do not need anyone to teach you. But as his anointing teaches you about all things and as that anointing is real, not counterfeit—just as it has taught you, remain in him.
28 And now, dear children, continue in him, so that when he appears we may be confident and unashamed before him at his coming.
29 If you know that he is righteous, you know that everyone who does what is right has been born of him.
Intro: We all need life skills to flourish and do well. Life skills help us cope with the ups and downs of life and people. This passage gives us some life skills that grow out of our relationship with Christ.
1. Be Real (not counterfeit)
2. Continue in Christ
3. Live Confidently
4. Stand Unashamed
5. Be Expectant
6. Live Righteous
Conclusion: Everyone who does right has been born of God. We need to live life fully and freely. It is time live life abundantly. We will stand before God and we can stand pure and confidently because of what Christ is doing in us right now.
Thought for the Day- Who are is proven by what we do and confirmed by what we say.
Just Connie
27 As for you, the anointing you received from him remains in you, and you do not need anyone to teach you. But as his anointing teaches you about all things and as that anointing is real, not counterfeit—just as it has taught you, remain in him.
28 And now, dear children, continue in him, so that when he appears we may be confident and unashamed before him at his coming.
29 If you know that he is righteous, you know that everyone who does what is right has been born of him.
Intro: We all need life skills to flourish and do well. Life skills help us cope with the ups and downs of life and people. This passage gives us some life skills that grow out of our relationship with Christ.
1. Be Real (not counterfeit)
2. Continue in Christ
3. Live Confidently
4. Stand Unashamed
5. Be Expectant
6. Live Righteous
Conclusion: Everyone who does right has been born of God. We need to live life fully and freely. It is time live life abundantly. We will stand before God and we can stand pure and confidently because of what Christ is doing in us right now.
Thought for the Day- Who are is proven by what we do and confirmed by what we say.
Just Connie
Saturday, February 12, 2011
Socializing
I socialized today. That always makes for a good day for me. I am an extrovert so being with people energizes me. I am happyand content tonight after a day of being with different groups of people.
I began the day with a Men's Ministry meeting. I was made an "honorary man" several years ago. It has been a great partnership with the men of the church and I have enjoyed the opportunity to work side by side with them. We are planning a tree cutting expedition to Aldersgate next month. I always enjoy that, though it is a lot of hard work. But hard work never killed anyone ... right? Remind me of that when I am complaining of my sore muscles.
Tonight I headed back to the church for prayer time and our weekly jam session. I love that time to play and sing and just worship. It fills me with peace. After that I went across the street to the Museum where most of Willamina was enjoying chocolate and good conversation. I really enjoyed mingling with the town and I even met some new people.
So here I am tonight. Happy and content with my life and the day. That is a very good feeling.
Just Connie
I began the day with a Men's Ministry meeting. I was made an "honorary man" several years ago. It has been a great partnership with the men of the church and I have enjoyed the opportunity to work side by side with them. We are planning a tree cutting expedition to Aldersgate next month. I always enjoy that, though it is a lot of hard work. But hard work never killed anyone ... right? Remind me of that when I am complaining of my sore muscles.
Tonight I headed back to the church for prayer time and our weekly jam session. I love that time to play and sing and just worship. It fills me with peace. After that I went across the street to the Museum where most of Willamina was enjoying chocolate and good conversation. I really enjoyed mingling with the town and I even met some new people.
So here I am tonight. Happy and content with my life and the day. That is a very good feeling.
Just Connie
Friday, February 11, 2011
From Tolerable to Fabulous
I have to admit that Valentine's Day is not currently one of my favorite holidays. It used to be, when I had a husband and children I always celebrated lavishly. This year the approach of the holiday has not been as painful as it has in past years. I was looking at the possibility of taking myself out to dinner or having lunch with friends.
But today Valentine's Day took on a whole new aspect. when I found out that my friends are coming for dinner and movies. My years at the Mission grew some wonderful friendships for me. One of them was the Maintenance Manager Chuck and one was my assistant Donna. We worked together on a myriad of projects, walked each other through the hard times and celebrated the good times together.
So Monday night my friends will come over and we will eat Pizza, I will get to bake a fabulous dessert and we will enjoy being together. It is amazing how one short text message turned Valentine's Day from tolerable to fabulous so quickly. I am looking with great anticipation to a wonderful evening.
Come on Valentine's Day ... this year I am ready for you.
Just Connie
But today Valentine's Day took on a whole new aspect. when I found out that my friends are coming for dinner and movies. My years at the Mission grew some wonderful friendships for me. One of them was the Maintenance Manager Chuck and one was my assistant Donna. We worked together on a myriad of projects, walked each other through the hard times and celebrated the good times together.
So Monday night my friends will come over and we will eat Pizza, I will get to bake a fabulous dessert and we will enjoy being together. It is amazing how one short text message turned Valentine's Day from tolerable to fabulous so quickly. I am looking with great anticipation to a wonderful evening.
Come on Valentine's Day ... this year I am ready for you.
Just Connie
Thursday, February 10, 2011
Being Mentored
I have a mentor. This is a new relationship for me. I have never had a formal mentor before. I have had people who I respected and who taught me a lot, I've even had people that I have officially mentored over the years. But this is the first time I have had a mentor.
I am meeting with him once a month. I can already see that he is stretching me. First of all he is assigning me books to read that I would never read on my own. I came away from our meeting today stimulated and excited and about the conversation, about the ideas that were floating around and also excited about this wonderful opportunity.
It will be interesting to see where this new relationship will take me. I am excited to see what God will teach me in the days ahead. There are good things ahead.
Just Connie
I am meeting with him once a month. I can already see that he is stretching me. First of all he is assigning me books to read that I would never read on my own. I came away from our meeting today stimulated and excited and about the conversation, about the ideas that were floating around and also excited about this wonderful opportunity.
It will be interesting to see where this new relationship will take me. I am excited to see what God will teach me in the days ahead. There are good things ahead.
Just Connie
Wednesday, February 9, 2011
People Problems
By nature I like people. I am an extrovert, being with people energizes me. But every once in a while there is someone that is .... well .... like a huge sponge sucking the life out of me. I had an employee that was rather like this. he was always on the verge of being fired. I have never spent so much time trying to salvage an employee as I did him. He frustrated me in ways that I did not even know I could be frustrated. He would improve while I was minutely checking his progress and then quickly go back to his previous behavior.
I had lost track of him and heard last year he had been arrested for a sex abuse charge. I was saddened for him but to be honest have seldom given it much thought. Tonight that changed when he contacted me through a friend because he wanted to get in touch with me. I decided to check and see what the charges were. I was horrified. There were a couple of Sodomy charges, Rape 1, and Sex Abuse 1. I have to say that I do not feel very compassionate towards him at this point. I am glad that he is safely locked up and I do not have any plans to contact him.
I can't imagine what would make him contact me? Do I seem to be an easy touch because I never fired him? I have no tolerance for being part of a pity party for his own poor choices. I do not want any part of it. I will pray about it and pray for him and especially pray his victim. I have to say that the whole thing makes me feel icky ......
Ick .....
Just Connie
I had lost track of him and heard last year he had been arrested for a sex abuse charge. I was saddened for him but to be honest have seldom given it much thought. Tonight that changed when he contacted me through a friend because he wanted to get in touch with me. I decided to check and see what the charges were. I was horrified. There were a couple of Sodomy charges, Rape 1, and Sex Abuse 1. I have to say that I do not feel very compassionate towards him at this point. I am glad that he is safely locked up and I do not have any plans to contact him.
I can't imagine what would make him contact me? Do I seem to be an easy touch because I never fired him? I have no tolerance for being part of a pity party for his own poor choices. I do not want any part of it. I will pray about it and pray for him and especially pray his victim. I have to say that the whole thing makes me feel icky ......
Ick .....
Just Connie
Tuesday, February 8, 2011
New Opportunity
I love the ministry. I love the people, the chance to teach, the opportunity to share God's Word in a meaningful way. I love the endless challenge and the chance to grow and develop.
Recently I have been given a new chance to minister. The Conference which is the regional Free Methodist Church is beginning a new church planting initiative. They have asked me to help them lay out a fund raising plan. I am very excited to use the fund raising skills I have picked up in such a wonderful way. So I am praying and thinking and waiting for what God will lay out
New opportunities are energizing. They make everything fresh and new. I can hardly wait to get started!
Just Connie
Recently I have been given a new chance to minister. The Conference which is the regional Free Methodist Church is beginning a new church planting initiative. They have asked me to help them lay out a fund raising plan. I am very excited to use the fund raising skills I have picked up in such a wonderful way. So I am praying and thinking and waiting for what God will lay out
New opportunities are energizing. They make everything fresh and new. I can hardly wait to get started!
Just Connie
Monday, February 7, 2011
Study Day
As I have often shared, Mondays are my study and sermon preparation day. I love Mondays. I love the process of sermon development. I am always so amazed as the sermon lays itself out. It is exciting to see the sermon take shape, thought by thought and verse by verse.
I am currently preaching through the Book of 1st John. It has been very good and I have never preached a series from there before. One of the things I like about preaching through a Book is that it brings me to passages I would not normally preach from. It stretches me and that is a very good thing.
I feel like there are limitless possibilities stretching ahead and that is a very good feeling.
Just Connie
I am currently preaching through the Book of 1st John. It has been very good and I have never preached a series from there before. One of the things I like about preaching through a Book is that it brings me to passages I would not normally preach from. It stretches me and that is a very good thing.
I feel like there are limitless possibilities stretching ahead and that is a very good feeling.
Just Connie
Sunday, February 6, 2011
Counterfeit Christians; Is It Me?
Today we will be looking at 1 John 2:18-26.
18 Dear children, this is the last hour; and as you have heard that the antichrist is coming, even now many antichrists have come. This is how we know it is the last hour. 19 They went out from us, but they did not really belong to us. For if they had belonged to us, they would have remained with us; but their going showed that none of them belonged to us.
20 But you have an anointing from the Holy One, and all of you know the truth. 21 I do not write to you because you do not know the truth, but because you do know it and because no lie comes from the truth. 22 Who is the liar? It is whoever denies that Jesus is the Christ. Such a person is the antichrist—denying the Father and the Son. 23 No one who denies the Son has the Father; whoever acknowledges the Son has the Father also.
24 As for you, see that what you have heard from the beginning remains in you. If it does, you also will remain in the Son and in the Father. 25 And this is what he promised us—eternal life.
26 I am writing these things to you about those who are trying to lead you astray.
Here John is specifically warning against counterfeit Christians. Those who seemed to be part of Christianity, but are not in reality. He goes so far as to name them anti-Christs, the opposite of Christ. How do we know who these false teachers are? Here are some guidelines to help us.
1. Be anointed
a. Know Jesus Christ
b. Be filled with the Spirit
c. Walk & Live in Christ
2. Know the truth
a. Know who Christ is
b. Know what Scripture says
c. Be teachable
3. Identify the lie
a. Does Scripture support it?
b. Does tradition support it?
c. Do respected teachers support it?
Conclusion: There are those among us who would draw us away from the truth. We need to know the truth and be able to identify the lie. We also need to look at ourselves. Am I on track? Am I in the truth and can I identify any lies in my own life?
It comes down to being willing to give over everything we are and let the transformation begin. and Lord let it start with me.
Just Connie
18 Dear children, this is the last hour; and as you have heard that the antichrist is coming, even now many antichrists have come. This is how we know it is the last hour. 19 They went out from us, but they did not really belong to us. For if they had belonged to us, they would have remained with us; but their going showed that none of them belonged to us.
20 But you have an anointing from the Holy One, and all of you know the truth. 21 I do not write to you because you do not know the truth, but because you do know it and because no lie comes from the truth. 22 Who is the liar? It is whoever denies that Jesus is the Christ. Such a person is the antichrist—denying the Father and the Son. 23 No one who denies the Son has the Father; whoever acknowledges the Son has the Father also.
24 As for you, see that what you have heard from the beginning remains in you. If it does, you also will remain in the Son and in the Father. 25 And this is what he promised us—eternal life.
26 I am writing these things to you about those who are trying to lead you astray.
Here John is specifically warning against counterfeit Christians. Those who seemed to be part of Christianity, but are not in reality. He goes so far as to name them anti-Christs, the opposite of Christ. How do we know who these false teachers are? Here are some guidelines to help us.
1. Be anointed
a. Know Jesus Christ
b. Be filled with the Spirit
c. Walk & Live in Christ
2. Know the truth
a. Know who Christ is
b. Know what Scripture says
c. Be teachable
3. Identify the lie
a. Does Scripture support it?
b. Does tradition support it?
c. Do respected teachers support it?
Conclusion: There are those among us who would draw us away from the truth. We need to know the truth and be able to identify the lie. We also need to look at ourselves. Am I on track? Am I in the truth and can I identify any lies in my own life?
It comes down to being willing to give over everything we are and let the transformation begin. and Lord let it start with me.
Just Connie
Friday, February 4, 2011
Ford Foundation
Today was the first day of my new leadership classes. The ford Foundation has a special rural initiative to help train leaders int eh community and to enable them to network effectively. Today's class was very good.
Among other things we did was to take a Myers Briggs personality test. I had not had one in 15 years. It had not changed that much. I am an ENFJ. That means I am an extrovert, Intuitive, Feeling and Judging. I thought it hit it right on the nail head. I get energized by being around people, I am more interested in relationships and I am highly organized. I was very glad to have the chance to refresh this test.
I am looking forward to tomorrow and all that we will learn. I think the next 6 months of classes will probably stretch us all in new ways. I could use some stetching .... hmmmmm if only it was a bit more comfortable.
Just Connie
Among other things we did was to take a Myers Briggs personality test. I had not had one in 15 years. It had not changed that much. I am an ENFJ. That means I am an extrovert, Intuitive, Feeling and Judging. I thought it hit it right on the nail head. I get energized by being around people, I am more interested in relationships and I am highly organized. I was very glad to have the chance to refresh this test.
I am looking forward to tomorrow and all that we will learn. I think the next 6 months of classes will probably stretch us all in new ways. I could use some stetching .... hmmmmm if only it was a bit more comfortable.
Just Connie
Thursday, February 3, 2011
Pastor's Cabinet
I met with my new Pastor's Cabinet tonight. It is a great group of people. We talked about the health of the church and threw around ideas for outreach and ministry. It was a good brainstorming session. The thing that soon became evident is that they have a passion for people and that is a wonderful gift.
I am looking forward to working with them over this next year and I am looking forward to what God will be doing in the days ahead. I think there are exciting things in store for all of us. There are good days ahead.
Just Connie
I am looking forward to working with them over this next year and I am looking forward to what God will be doing in the days ahead. I think there are exciting things in store for all of us. There are good days ahead.
Just Connie
Wednesday, February 2, 2011
Starry Sky
It is a clear cold night. That is pretty rare in Oregon in February. Not so much the cold part, but the clear part. When I came out of the church tonight I just stood there and and looked with awe at the sky. There were a myriad of stars spread out across the heavens. It was gorgeous.
As I stood there I was so humbled by the vastness of creation. Hundreds and hundreds of stars in the sky and God knows every one of them. Universe after universe and still God knows every hair on my head.
The beauty of the night and the reminder of God's love and care has filled me with a sense of peace. And that is a very good feeling.
As I stood there I was so humbled by the vastness of creation. Hundreds and hundreds of stars in the sky and God knows every one of them. Universe after universe and still God knows every hair on my head.
The beauty of the night and the reminder of God's love and care has filled me with a sense of peace. And that is a very good feeling.
Tuesday, February 1, 2011
Day at the Beach
I played hooky today. It was a wonderful, beautiful and relaxing day. The sun was shining and there was a crispness to the air that reminded me it is only February. Being the dedicated Pastor that I am, I took one look at the day and my heavy schedule for the rest of the week and ..... packed up and headed to the beach.
My friend Lorri and I toodled over to Lincoln City. We walked on the beach in the sun, we had a wonderful lunch and Mo's, shopped a bit and even found the time for ice cream before we headed back to Willamina. The day was filled with laughter, good conversation and even a few tears.
So here I am tonight, pleasantly tired, relaxed and happy. I am feeling blessed and that is a very good feeling.
My friend Lorri and I toodled over to Lincoln City. We walked on the beach in the sun, we had a wonderful lunch and Mo's, shopped a bit and even found the time for ice cream before we headed back to Willamina. The day was filled with laughter, good conversation and even a few tears.
So here I am tonight, pleasantly tired, relaxed and happy. I am feeling blessed and that is a very good feeling.
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