into the battle

SATURDAY JANUARY 26, 2008

Hello, and welcome to another day of risk and adventure! I know, we probably don’t consider our lives to be that interesting, really nothing at all compared to the celebrities of the modern day sports and entertainment world, rather dull compared to the thrilling lives of Biblical heroes. We don’t get the exposure, the fame, the attention, or the big salaries. So it is natural for us to think from time to time that our lives are being played in the ‘minor leagues’, where things don’t matter that much.

Don’t believe that lie. When Jesus talks about Godly concern for birds and flowers He is affirming divine interest in all He has designed – including you. Your life is not lost to him, never are you hidden from His gaze. And everyday God is calling you to the adventures of faith, the risks of trust. There are always opportunities and events that require us to live in the zone of God’s best.

Sometimes to get the best we must face the worst. For forty consecutive days Goliath taunted King Saul and his people and his God. Giants like Goliath hide behind various disguises – but they have this in common: they call to us daily; they humiliate and harass until they break us or engage us in face to face battle.


So now it is time to take action. David is well prepared – he has done everything necessary to enter the ‘zone of adventure’. We have discussed getting ready for battle (purpose, focus, preparation). Now it is time to consider the battle itself: what to do on ‘game day’ (part #4); how to celebrate success (part #5); how to keep up the momentum (part #6).

I believe adventure/battle is not just for individuals – it applies to churches as well. One of the quotes that I keep on the wall in my office, in order to inspire me beyond mediocrity, comes from Ed Young of Fellowship Church in Grapevine Texas.

“Doing church should be an adventure – tossing aside the tame and tired to pursue God-sized dreams with boldness and creativity.”

How dynamic is that quote. I know personally of churches that have courageously embraced this sentiment. Tragically I also know from personal experience that many churches refuse to enter this zone of adventure, and pay a heavy price! If you are into exploring the web, check out Ed’s church www.fellowshipchurch.com

In researching the graphics for this week’s topic, I came across a church logo that was too cool to ignore – so I incorporated it into the slide below. Interestingly enough, the name of the church catches my interest immediately: Adventure Community Church … you know, if I was not a church-goer, but saw a sign or ad with this name, I would certainly be intrigued. You can check it out this Phoenix Arizona church at www.adventurecc.org I may share a little more about both FC & ACC tomorrow morning.




Blessings,

Doug

to unsubscribe to this ministry mailing, please email your request to revdj@ripnet.com

please feel free to forward this to your friends, and, if they would like to be added to our growing mailing list, let us know by emailing revdj@ripnet.com

you can find all graphics and study notes relating to this series by going to www.inthezonesermons.blogspot.com

(new announcements have been posted) First Church Brockville people can stay up-to-date with news – visit www.wwwfirstplace.blogspot.com

are you ready for battle?

Friday January 25, 2008

Hi friends,

I hope this email finds you doing well. For those of you reading this while lounging in warmer climes, I hope you are not burdening yourself by exerting excessive sympathy for the rest of us trapped in the cold and snow of Simcoe county or Eastern Ontario. Because we just love to shovel and freeze. We thrive on challenge!

What has been challenging you recently – and I mean more than the weather. Some health issues perhaps? Or financial strain? Possibly relationship stress? These things turn up in our lives from time to time – like giant goliaths ready to destroy us! “Impossible odds for any victory on our part” is what goes through our minds. Our emotions unravel, our faith fizzles and our soul ‘sings the blues’. Oh, I know there are a few of you out there who triumph every time, unscathed, no battle scars. But the rest of us know exactly how Saul and his people felt as they trembled at the taunting from Goliath and his Philistine army.

Conveniently David arrives on the scene to be the savior. He is partly prepared for this role because of his faithful obedience and success in the past. He is further prepared when he is willing to say no to King Saul’s suit of armor and stay with what he is confident/comfortable in – not someone else’s attire, but what he knows God has gifted him with: a strong faith in the Lord; a strong faith in his ability with the sling. For David, that is all that is needed.

Popular business wisdom stresses ‘dress for success’. I don’t know about you, but I can usually see through the man or woman who is ‘dressed’ in such a way to make me think (fool me ?) they are operating at a certain level of competency while their words and presentation clearly suggest something much less. I could purchase new skates (everyone takes a good look at mine and laugh – they belong in a museum!), I could buy an Ottawa Senator’s sweater and attempt to join the team in the race for a Stanley Cup. You won’t be seeing me on HNIC tomorrow night – even if I wear the right uniform. (now, perhaps a Toronto Maple Leaf sweater….no, not even the lowly leafs would take me).

David was offered a new uniform to make him better. He had the courage and wisdom to say no.
It is so silly to think … “if only I could preach like Billy Graham, lead a church like Bill Hybels, write a book like Chuck Swindoll or Max Lucado, be courageous and creative like Carey Nieuhof…”. I am who I am, gifted by God’s Spirit according to divine design, strong in His strength! That is all I need. Last Sunday as I preached looking out at our congregation that included three good Ministers, I thought how foolish it is to think that if I borrowed Kevin Smith’s Hawaiian shirt, Allan Duncan’s Hebrew Bible, and James-Peter Jones’ robe, I could then be ‘Mr. Super-Pastor’! David refused to be dressed like someone else. And we learn from him.

So all that I have been reflecting on was part of our teaching last Sunday. We now move into the second half of what I consider to be a truly amazing Old Testament story with 21st century application. Prepared for the big fight, now let’s get this game going!

Lord willing, tomorrow I will offer a few observations as we move into the zone of adventure.

On a personal note, thanks for being understanding, supportive and concerned as I have fought this pneumonia over the last three weeks. I am thankful that I have not had to miss any Sundays. While I have been confined to home mostly, I have managed to get sermon themes prepared through Easter and outlines and bulletins through February 10th. It has not been totally unproductive. Yvonne has also been ‘doing battle’ with some health concerns – we are quite the pair!

Blessings in Christ,

Doug

Ps. For further devotional reading after you have looked at 1 Samuel 17, check out Ephesians 6:10-18.