Emmaus Road Church

Economic Situation

Tue, 28 Oct 2008 00:00:00 -0700

Like Germany years ago many of us are living divided lives. With a wall running right through our hearts we have kept God out of certain areas of our lives. Well it is time for the wall to come down! I was listening to National Public Radio today as they discussed the U.S. economy. The analyst used the words "scared" and "afraid" more times than I can count. People are scared he said, and understandably so. People are wondering if their retirement accounts will have any money left for them to retire on. People are wondering if their college savings funds will have enough money to send their children to college. People are wondering if they will lose their job, if they will be able to pay their bills, if they will be able to put food on the table. How can we as Christ-followers mix Jesus into this scary time? Trust, Generosity, Witness. //TRUST The Bible calls us to trust in God! And in case we were slow to do that as Americans, we have stamped it onto our coins and our bills. "In God we trust" Or as Psalm 56 puts it. "When I am afraid, I will trust in you. In God, whose word I praise, in God I trust; I will not be afraid. What can mortal man do to me?" and Psalm 62 "Trust in him at all times, O people; pour out your hearts to him, for God is our refuge." whatever happens or does not happen with our economy we can always trust God to be our refuge. Do you have this trust in God as the bedrock of your faith? God will take care of you, even if you lose your job, or lose your 401K or watch your IRA tick rapidly down. God does not promise to spare us from these things but he does promise to walk through them with us. As Christ-followers in today's economy we should not be scared. Instead our trust in God should cause us to stand out as people with peace of mind and heart. This is actually a great OPPORTUNITY for us to be there for others who are scared and who do not have God in their lives to give them hope and peace. By talking with neighbors and co-workers about the economy we can bring up spiritual things and present the good news about our trustworthy God. //GENEROSITY The Church is not a building it is the people on mission with Jesus. And we are that people. Acts 4 tells us how the early Church lived out their mission with amazing generosity Verse 32 tells us "All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of his possessions was his own, but they shared everything they had. With great power the apostles continued to testify to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and much grace was upon them all. There were no needy persons among them. For from time to time those who owned lands or houses sold them, brought the money from the sales and put it at the apostles' feet, and it was distributed to anyone as he had need." In addition to God, we also have each other. We the church are here for each other, to help each other through whatever it is that comes our way. You are not facing this situation alone. We may not understand all of the pressures you are facing in your job, or in your finances, but we can sure pray for you and share with you the many resources and finances that we have been blessed with. Though we are a small church, we do have financial resources with which we can help each other as the Lord leads. This is not every man for himself but rather the body of Christ where all the parts have equal concern for each other. //WITNESS As we live out our radical trust in God and his goodness during this time, and as we model generosity to those in need, we inevitably become better witnesses. Jesus said in Matthew 5:14-16, "You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven." Let us then, by the power of the God's Spirit within us, step out in trust and generosity. Let us then by the power of the God's Spirit within us open our mouths in witness to our great God and Savior Jesus Christ who is a refuge to all who will call on him. For if we hold back now our fellow citizens will only grow more and more scared and the world will only become more scary.

Source: Economic Situation

Thoughts on Proverbs 13

Mon, 13 Oct 2008 00:00:00 -0700

Proverbs 13:10 "Pride only breeds quarrels, but wisdom is found in those who take advice." Ancient wisdom here warns against pride. This past Sunday I was cleaning up from our mobile worship service in the gym of Hazelwood Elementary School when people were offering to help. Dave was coiling cords and Dan was asking if I had anyone helping. In my 'Pride' I sent them both away saying things like, "you have done enough" and "I got it from here." Well, little did I know that, I did not have it. In fact, I really needed them. If I was wise I would be willing to take advice and willing to accept help. As it turned out, I was left alone. But never fear! God was there to make sure I learned my lesson. What was that? A car coming through the parking lot? Yes! Here was the help I needed but was too proud to ask for! I looked up in expectation to see... my wife and our three kids. A minute later I had two new helpers. Colby who is now 4 years old and Ellie who is 6. Neither one can lift a subwoofer. I continued to work at putting everything away, trying now to get it done in time for their rest time. They were actually great, but I did learn that my pride had sent away Dan and Dave, the two helpers I really needed.

Source: Thoughts on Proverbs 13

Emmaus Road Blog

Tue, 02 Sep 2008 00:00:00 -0700

Everyone wants their children to grown up to successfully navigate life in today's world, whether you are a Christian, a Buddhist, an Agnostic or an Atheist. Today was my oldest child's first day in Kindergarten. And I am no different. She was excited and full of smiles while her mom and I were both anxious and scared. In all reality her preschool was only 15 minutes less time in the classroom per day than Kindergarten will be, but still, it feels like a big step. What does it really look like for our children to successfully navigate the big bad world out there? This is the question that every institute of higher learning must grapple with as it plans its lessons, field trips, lunches, and laboratories. I believe the Christian answer to that question is the most compelling and helpful. As I waited in the car I watched as the families from my neighborhood walked their children into the school. They were all different shapes and sizes. There were different languages, different skin color, different everything pretty much. In this diverse environment, which is actually mild compared to the city, the Christian vision of the Triune God is so helpful. The Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit each distinct from each other yet all perfectly unified with each other in love and humility. A perfect example of unity in diversity. The Bible teaches that we are made in his image and so we too are hard wired to live in unity with our neighbors wherever they may be from. The competing worldview of secular humanism tells us that we are not made in the image of the Triune God. It tells us instead that we are products of random chance and that we must become fit to survive. Survival of the fittest pushes our children to compete with each other rather than work together for unity in diversity. In the end I fear that it is inadequate to sustain us as a human community in the 21st century.

Source: Emmaus Road Blog

Welcome to the new Emmaus Road Church Website!

Wed, 20 Aug 2008 00:00:00 -0700

Welcome to our new website! Browse around and learn more about Emmaus Road Church. We hope you will come visit us this Sunday as our church gathers in Hazelwood Elementary School. Our site is still in the process of being finalized so check back soon if you don't find exactly what you are looking for.

Source: Welcome to the new Emmaus Road Church Website!