Silver Lake Church of the Nazerene

Welcome

2009-03-11T11:58:00.001-07:00

Welcome to the Silver Lake Church of the Nazarene!

We hope you will join us in worship of Jesus Christ our Lord.

Worship Schedule:

Sundays 11:00 am (English & Español)
Sundays 7:00 pm (Español)

Seeking Music Director: We are looking for a Music Director. Interested? Contact Pastor Bolling at 248-332-6928.

Welcome

2009-01-29T11:38:00.001-08:00

Articles

2009-01-29T10:49:00.000-08:00

Among Friends by Heather Carr
Some friendships were meant to surpass a lifetime.

Cubical Daze by Heather Carr
Suddenly you're faced with an opportunity to share the gospel, fantastic right? Except, you're at work. If you are a Christian in the work place, this situation is almost inevitable. Should we evangelize in the world of the politically correct?

Holiness: Celebrating Our Freedom in Christ by Rev. Martin Hodge
The motto of the Church of the Nazarene is, “Called unto Holiness.” Is the call to holiness just wishful thinking, or is it possible for today’s Christian?

In Pursuit of Happiness by Heather Carr
It is tempting in our have-it-all-right-now society to chase after the what ifs of the world. These what if statements always end the same way, then I'd be happy. Aristotle recognized happiness as the aim of life when he observed “For we choose happiness for itself, and never with a view to anything further; whereas we choose honor, pleasure, intellect ... because we believe that through them we shall be made happy.” In other words, happiness is a driving factor in the choices we make. An astute observation, but as a Christian, are we called to a higher purpose than happiness?

Road Closed: Detour by Heather Carr
Many times our lives are heading down a path we feel comfortable with, steady and certain, then suddenly we come across the orange barrels and everything comes to a screeching halt. Road closed. Follow detour.

Shades of Gray by Heather Carr
It's often easy to see the black and white of God's will. Thou shall not murder, thou shall not have an affair, thou shall not steal another man's pick-up, no matter how good you would look driving it. That's the easy stuff, but what about the everyday gray – thou shall not drink beer, use curse words, or pocket the 42-cents the cashier just over paid you?

Sharing Your Stories; Sharing Your Faith by Amy Nichols
Each time God has worked in our lives, remember it and tell it. Gerry told her story, and touched the lives of many.

Two Right Shoes, Two Left Feet by Heather Carr
Making the most of a difficult situation can do more than just lift your spirits, you could just make an impression that lasts a lifetime.

Welcome

2008-12-08T10:21:00.001-08:00

Our Purpose

2008-12-08T08:14:00.000-08:00

The purpose of Silver Lake Church of the Nazarene is to make a great commitment to the great commandment and the great commission in order to make a great church.

What is the Great Commandment?
The great commandment was issued by Jesus in the book of Matthew. Jesus replied: "'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' (Matthew 22:37-39)

What is the Great Commission?
Jesus called us to fulfill the great commission in Matthew 28:19-20, which reads: Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."

Programs

2008-12-08T07:57:00.000-08:00

Our ministries include:

Children:

Kingdom Kids
Sunday School
Nursery Care
VBS

Adults:

Bible Study
Sunday School
Ladies' Discipleship Group
Men's Prayer Meeting

Teens:

Youth Group
Basketball

Music Program Open to All Ages

Contact Us

2008-12-08T07:53:00.000-08:00

Our Address:

Silver Lake Church of the Nazarene
520 W. Walton Blvd.
Pontiac, MI 48340

Our Phone Number:

248-332-6928

Or email Pastor Larry Bolling at pastorbolling@juno.com

Links

2008-12-08T07:49:00.001-08:00

Church of the Nazarene - International
Church of the Nazarene - Eastern Michigan District
BibleGateway - Online Bible

Four-Bucks-No-More Pumpkin Spice Latte Recipe

2008-11-14T10:38:00.000-08:00

1/2 cup espresso or strong brewed coffee
1/2 cup steamed milk*
1/2 tablespoon pumpkin spice syrup (recipe follows)

Combine all ingredients in a coffee mug, stir and enjoy!

*If you don't have an espresso machine, place milk in a small saucepan over medium heat. Stir frequently with a whisk, until hot and frothy.

Pumkin Spice Syrup Recipe:

1 cup water
1 cup sugar
1-inch piece vanilla bean
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon ground allspice
1/4 cup canned pumpkin

Combine all ingredients in a small sauce pan. Bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer until syrup is thickened and reduced by half.

Makes about 1 cup.

Jesus, You Are My King

2008-11-05T05:47:00.000-08:00

According to Romans 13:6, the authorities are God's servants, who give their full time to governing. With the election now decided, let's remember who truly rules over us, and give Him the honor He deserves.

Sermon Reflections

2008-11-04T09:57:00.000-08:00

True conversion was the topic of Pastor Bolling's sermon this week. We looked at 1 Thessalonians 1:5-10. True conversion is what takes place when the Holy Spirit is present. We cannot force a true conversion, because only the Holy Spirit can convict someone of Christ's deity. So, what can we do? We can preach the gospel as it should be preached, by presenting the true word of God, even through opposition and persecution. We can model ourselves after Christ, knowing that we are an example to an unbelieving world. And, we can turn to God first, expecting Him to help us turn away from the idols and sin in our lives. How do we do it? Through the power of the Holy Spirit!

Holy Plans

2008-10-29T07:26:00.000-07:00

for Gail & anyone struggling with a sudden change of direction

This is what God said:
"Before I shaped you in the womb,
I knew all about you.
Before you saw the light of day,
I had holy plans for you:
A prophet to the nations—
that's what I had in mind for you."
But I said, "Hold it, Master God! Look at me.
I don't know anything. I'm only a boy!"
God told me, "Don't say, 'I'm only a boy.'
I'll tell you where to go and you'll go there.
I'll tell you what to say and you'll say it.
Don't be afraid of a soul.
I'll be right there, looking after you."
God's Decree.
God reached out, touched my mouth, and said,
"Look! I've just put my words in your mouth—hand-delivered!
See what I've done? I've given you a job to do..."

- Jeremiah 1: 4-10 (The Message)

Quick and Easy BBQ Chicken Pizza

2008-10-27T05:53:00.000-07:00

1 pound chopped cooked chicken breast
1/2 cup prepared barbecue sauce
1 prebaked pizza crust (such as Boboli)
1/2 cup shredded monterey jack cheese
4 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled
1/4 cup diced red onion
2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro

Preheat oven to 400° F. Combine chicken and barbecue sauce in a small bowl. Spoon chicken mixture evenly over crust. Top with cheese, bacon, and onion. Place pizza on a baking sheet, and bake at 400° until cheese is browned and bubbling, about 15 to 20 minutes. Sprinkle with cilantro.

Note: For a crispy crust, bake pizza directly on oven rack.

Sharing Your Stories; Sharing Your Faith

2008-10-22T11:31:00.000-07:00

by Amy Nichols

At a funeral I attended last week for a family member named Geraldine, "Gerry," the pastor encouraged the importance of telling the stories we live. Tell them to our children, so they can tell their children. Don't forget them, write them down. Each time God has worked in our lives, remember it and tell it. Keep them going.

I have to tell this story about Gerry that the pastor told at her funeral. Gerry had gone to the hospital to get some tests done on day in August. She was called at home when the results were in, and was told to come back to the hospital immediately. No further information was given. So Gerry, her husband, and their oldest daughter journeyed back as told. When they got there, the physician's assistant met them as they entered the hospital. He stated that her cancer had come back, and that he was very sorry. There were moments of silence, and then Gerry looked at the physician's assistant and said, "Well, Jesus is my savior."

The physician's assistant replied, "He's mine too."

Gerry was so touched that there was another believer unafraid of sharing their faith. It was very comforting. At that moment, all four of them held hands in a circle in the middle of the emergency room and prayed.

What a moment with Jesus in that moment of sorrow. Don't be afraid to share your stories or your faith. Gerry told everyone she knew. Gerry would be thrilled to have this story shared, and hopefully touch other people's lives. Please let me know if this has touched your life, as she has touched mine.

Introducing the One and Only...

2008-10-13T11:10:00.000-07:00

Pastor Appreciation Month

2008-10-13T10:15:00.000-07:00

October is Pastor appreciation month. God's word tells us to honor our leaders. 1 Thessalonians 5:12-13 (The Message) reads: And now, friends, we ask you to honor those leaders who work so hard for you, who have been given the responsibility of urging and guiding you along in your obedience. Overwhelm them with appreciation and love! I urge you to take some time this month to overwhelm Pastor Bolling with appreciation and love for all he does for us!

Road Trip

2008-10-05T05:05:00.000-07:00

Many thanks to the women of Flint Central Church of the Nazarene for their gracious hospitality on Saturday. The ladies of Silver Lake enjoyed an autumnal themed brunch filled with the teachings of the Holy Spirit. Special thanks to Dr. Linda Norrell, and author Betty Huizenga whose spiritually powerful presentations were both funny and uplifting. Thanks also to Arlene Chenoweth who taught us how to love others well. We look forward to seeing you all again soon!

Something To Think About

2008-10-01T17:35:00.000-07:00

Ladies' Discipleship Group Mid-week Challenge

2008-09-24T17:46:00.001-07:00

That's right ladies, it's time to put those intercessory gifts into action. This week's challenge is to lift up in prayer someone you know who has not yet received Christ into their life. Each day this week, let's lift up someone we love. At 1 pm, take one minute to pray for the one you have chosen. Together we can make a difference in the lives of those around us.

Revival 2008

2008-09-22T08:44:00.000-07:00

Last night, with the echoes of a powerful rendition of 'Open the Eyes of My Heart' still ringing in the rafters, Pastor John Wright wrapped up our week-long revival activities with a message on the tales of four cities, the biblical cities of Sodom and G0morrah, and the modern-day cities of Pontiac and Detroit. He emphasized the love God has for all of His people, including those of the fallen biblical cities, and the fact that it was not the sin itself that destroyed the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah, but the lack of righteous people in the city (see Genesis 18). The blood of Jesus that covers our sins gives us the privilege of acting as intercessors on behalf of our cities and our nation. Have you prayed for the leaders and the citizens of our homeland today?

The Caramel Apple Pie - Only Better

2008-09-19T17:04:00.000-07:00

The first time I made caramel apple pie, I brought it to the first potluck I ever attended at Silver Lake. Nicole hunted me down to tell me how much she liked the pie, which was the first of many encouraging words she has given me. This version is for you Nicole, I've cut down on the fat and sugar, and added whole-wheat flour to give it a little more fiber. Enjoy!

1/2 cup whole-wheat flour

3/4 cup quick-cooking oats

3/4 cup packed dark brown sugar, divided

3/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon, divided

1/2 cup chilled butter, cut into small pieces

6 cups thinly sliced peeled apple (about 2 1/2 pounds, I prefer Pink Lady apples)

1 pastry crust for a deep-dish pie 9-inch (such as Pillsbury®)

1/2 cup chopped pecans

1/4 cup fat-free caramel topping

Preheat oven to 375°.

Lightly spoon flour into a dry measuring cup; level with a knife. Combine flour, oats, 1/2 cup sugar, and 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon in a medium bowl; cut in butter with 2 knives until mixture resembles coarse meal.

Combine 1/4 cup sugar, 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon, and apples in a large bowl. Spoon into pie shell. Sprinkle oat mixture over apple mixture. Cover edges of pie with aluminum foil. Place pie on cookie sheet and bake at 375°F for 25 minutes. Remove foil and continue to bake for an additional 25 to 30 minutes. Sprinkle pie with chopped pecans and drizzle with caramel topping. Cool on a wire rack. Serve warm or at room temperature.

Two Right Shoes, Two Left Feet

2008-09-17T05:45:00.000-07:00

My daughter loves to tell the story about the time her dad took her to the park in two right shoes. When my husband picks her up for their regular afternoon play date, he comes straight from the office. On this sunny afternoon, after changing into his street clothes, he realized he had made a mistake in the dash out the door that morning. There, in the bottom of his gym bag, were two right sandals. With no time to head back home, he was faced with a choice, dress shoes or two right sandals. He chose the sandals, thinking that the heat-holding dress shoes would be too uncomfortable.

By making the most of this unusual situation, my husband brought hours of laughter into our home. Our ability to make the most of our circumstances, even if the laughter is at our expense, can be a real statement about our faith and relationship with the living God. My husband could have abandoned his planned afternoon at the park, or showed up with a scowl on his face, but he chose to enjoy the time he had with our daughter despite some discomfort and quizzical looks from bystanders (did I mention that the sandals were different colors?)

In Colossians 1:10, Paul urges us to ...walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him. The way we live our lives bears witness to Christ in an unbelieving world. Nothing makes a more powerful statement than a believer who is living out the Christian walk. This includes our reactions those annoying moments in life, like long lines at the grocery store or the car that cut you off on your way out of the parking lot. We may be quick to lose our temper in these situations - no one is perfect. Just be conscious of the person watching your reaction, be it your children, or a stranger who just happened to notice the cross hanging from your neck.

I've always been known for my two left feet among family and friends. Even through years of dance training, I've managed to hang onto the clumsy ways of my youth, which was peppered with bumps, bruises, and more than a few skinned knees. This was not a trait that made me proud. Often, it was the source of embarrassment and self-consciousness. To this day, I cling to the mantra that sports are “not my thing,” to keep my painful lack of hand-eye-coordination to myself. And yes, this includes church softball.

My nickname around our house is “butterfingers,” a testament to the fact that my condition has only worsened with age. It's hard to keep a smile on my face when I've hurt myself again, or made yet another mess. It's worth the struggle though, when I see my children reacting to their own accidents. I'm sowing the seeds of patience and self-control with each bite of my lower lip. I'm hopeful that others who are close to me, and know my natural tendencies in these situations, may recognize the change as well. You never know what it will take to for someone to take a second look at Christ. They may just decide that there is something to the Christian life after all.

Latte Anyone?

2008-09-15T18:28:00.000-07:00

Ladies' Challenge of the Week: Celebrate the gifts God has given you with a friend and a hot cup of joe.

School's In Session

2008-09-15T17:35:00.000-07:00

The shopping is done, bags are packed, and summer is officially over. School is back in session. How is it effecting you?

a. Stressed, but coping.
b. Yahoo! Finally some free time.
c. Ugh - the traffic.
d. Didn't even notice.

Shades of Gray

2008-07-25T16:40:00.000-07:00

When my husband and I were dating, we made a trip to a local market with plans to make dinner together later in the evening. After loading the groceries into the car, Steve reached into his pocket and looked over the pile of change in his hand. “She gave me too much change,” he said. “I'll be back in a minute.”

I was stunned by his honesty. The money he was returning was less than a dollar. If I had been the one to pay the cashier, I'd have smiled at my good fortune and drove away. This incident had sent my head spinning. I had always considered myself an honest person, and yet the thought of walking back into the store for a few pennies was not something I would have even thought about, let alone acted upon.

It's often easy to see the black and white of God's will. Thou shall not murder, thou shall not have an affair, thou shall not steal another man's pick-up, no matter how good you would look driving it. That's the easy stuff, but what about the everyday gray – thou shall not drink beer, use curse words, or pocket the 42-cents the cashier just over paid you?

Knowing right from wrong, or discernment, is a challenge we all face. According to the scriptures, the human heart is deceitful above all else (Jeremiah 17:9). We all have flawed instinct when it comes to making right decisions. Since we can't always trust ourselves to make good choices, we need to look to the one who always makes right decisions, Jesus Christ. God has promised to be our guide and provide us with the wisdom that we seek. James 1:5 reads, if any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. Sounds simple enough. Seeing that there was room for improvement, I asked God for His wisdom.

I found myself more and more captivated by the word of God. There was a time in my life when I felt that the Bible didn't make sense. As I grew in faith, and began to devote time each day to the word of God, I began to recognize some of the gray areas in my life. Psalm 119:130 reads: The unfolding of your words gives light; it gives understanding to the simple. The word of God began to cast light into my gray corners, and I realized is that there is no gray as far as the Lord is concerned. There is only right and wrong. When we walk closely with God, we really get to know Him. Just as a child is able to predict whether a choice is good or bad in his parents eyes, we too can know what God is expecting of us. This leads to a new sense of responsibility – not a list of dos and don'ts. Instead, the question becomes what can I do today to show the world how wonderful God is? The small choices we make, like returning a handful of change to a cashier, inspire the people around us to question their own behavior and seek God out. How awesome it is to know that the simple choices in life can make such an impact on our neighbors.

Learning to discern right from wrong is a life-long process. Last year, I ordered a pair of beautiful Italian leather shoes to wear to my sister's wedding. For those of you with an eye for footwear, they were delicious! And, I loved them. The hefty price tag weighed on my heart. So, with a sigh, I nestled them in the box and shoved them into the back of the closet, intent on returning them.

The next day, a box arrived at my door. I couldn't believe my eyes. There they were, my shoes' long lost twins. I checked my credit card, to see if I had been charged double. Nothing. This was a test, I was sure of it. I wanted so badly to return the original pair and walk off happily with my freebie. Days went by as I wrestled with vision of those lovely heels under my bridesmaid's gown. Alas, I knew, if I kept them, they would haunt me forever. Not because anyone would ever know that I hadn't paid for the shoes, but because I would know that I had let the Lord down. Jesus gave up His life for me, so there was only one thing to do. I had to give up the shoes.

When I returned the shoes, the clerk at the shoppe was unsure of how to handle the transaction. There was no record of the second shipment at all. That's strange, she'd said. I smiled though, because I knew that there was nothing strange about it at all. God was letting me know that I had made some progress in my quest for discernment. Now, when I look at the bargain-basement pair of shoes I wore to the wedding, I smile to myself. They are a nice little reminder that I am a work in progress.

Road Closed: Detour

2008-07-21T10:11:00.000-07:00

Remember the fork-in-the-road scene that cropped up in the stories we read as kids? You know the one where our protagonist found him- or herself at the crossroads of two paths, one splashed in sunlight, the other deep in shadows. Don't pick that dark road, we'd think to ourselves. Of course, they nearly always did. If only our paths were so clearly outlined today, life would be a lot easier.

Sometimes it seems as if every path has it's own sunlight and shadows, and it can be hard to distinguish between them, that is if we are given a choice at all. Many times our lives are heading down a path we feel comfortable with, steady and certain, then suddenly we come across the orange barrels and everything comes to a screeching halt. Road closed. Follow detour.

This is no new phenomenon. Take a look at Joseph, now there's a man who knew a little something about detours. Sold by his brothers into slavery, he made the best of his situation by gaining the trust of his master, Potiphar. In turn, Potiphar gave Joseph increasing responsibility over the household. Just when things were looking good, Potiphar's wife tried to seduce Joseph. Joseph stood strong, and did the right thing by both God and Potiphar, and turned down her offer. I wonder what Joseph expected at this point, maybe a pat on the back for warding off temptation, or maybe he saw those orange barrels in the distance before the situation landed him in prison.

Either way, I doubt prison walls were a part of Joseph's plan. He must have been feeling pretty lousy at this phase of his life. Everything becomes a bit clearer after the fact, when we see that each of the difficult detours in Joseph's life played a roll in positioning him to fulfill God's calling: saving his family and the entire country of Egypt.

When I graduated from high school, I attended a local community college with the intent of transferring to a university after two years. When the time came to transfer, I filled out all of the paperwork: registration, financial aide, the works. Two weeks before moving day, I received a letter in the mail. We regret to inform you, it read, we have overbooked our dormitories and you will not be receiving a room assignment. I was crushed. When I contacted the university, they recommended that I commute for several weeks. This would have worked well, except for the fact that the drive would be several hours long one-way. The prospects of returning to my community college for a third year didn't thrill me, but that is exactly what I did.

Over the course of that year, I moved in with my grandmother. This was never a part of my plan, but it was a wonderful time that I was able to share with her. The memories of our dinners together and evening card games will be with me for the rest of my life, and now that she has gone on to be with the Lord, I treasure them all the more. Eventually, I transferred to another university all together, where I met numerous devout Christians that greatly influenced my faith. The school I attended also offered me a chance to witness to people of other faiths, many of whom showed an eager interest in the gospel. Clearly, God's plan was more profound than my own.

If you find yourself staring down your own set of orange barrels, remember Joseph and take comfort in the fact that the hero of your story has already declared his promise to you... "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” (Jeremiah 29:11)

In Pursuit of Happiness

2008-07-13T07:22:00.000-07:00

This morning, while I was in hot pursuit of the just the right amount of gooeyness for each of a half dozen eggs, my toddler and infant were taking turns crying. As if on cue, one would stop, then the other would chime in, this peppered with the questions of an inquisitive 8-year-old, and the tapping paws of a golden retriever dancing around my still decaffeinated lower extremities, led to destruction of one raw egg on an otherwise clean kitchen floor. The chain of events was capped off by the painful stubbing of not one, but two toes and my exclamation that I was going to 'blow a gasket'. This was followed by a brief not-quite-3rd-grade lesson on what exactly a gasket is, and why I would not want to blow one.

All the chaos had me thinking about another pursuit, the pursuit of happiness. I am truly blessed and yet this morning, as I was about to sit down to a plentiful breakfast with my husband and three beautiful daughters in our suburban home with our golden retriever happily wagging his tail by my side, all I could think about was a moment of peace and quiet. I think I would be hard pressed to find a person who hasn't played into the greener grass conspiracy at one time or another.

It is tempting in our have-it-all-right-now society to chase after the what ifs of the world. What if I had a bigger car, nicer house, different job, more kids, less kids, a spouse or lack there of, you get the picture. These what if statements always end the same way, then I'd be happy. Aristotle recognized happiness as the aim of life when he observed “For we choose happiness for itself, and never with a view to anything further; whereas we choose honor, pleasure, intellect ... because we believe that through them we shall be made happy.” In other words, happiness is a driving factor in the choices we make.

An astute observation, but as a Christian, I believe that I am called to a higher purpose than just happiness. Happiness should be a byproduct of the choices I make, not a motive for them. Jesus said, "... seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well" (Matthew 6:33). When we keep our hearts focused on the kingdom of God, and what he wants for our lives we will be happy, without the exhausting chase that inevitably leads to an all too brief euphoria.

By now you may be thinking that this is all great for crying kids and throbbing toes, but what about when you're in the middle of something really big. A few years ago, I was in the midst of a troubled pregnancy that landed me in a cramped emergency room. I can remember the casual tone the doctor used as he explained to me that the child I had grown to love over the past twelve weeks was in jeopardy. “If the baby makes it, the baby makes it. There's not much we can do,” he said. This is the reality of living in a fallen world. One day real heartache will catch up with all of us.

I clutched my bible as I left the hospital, and throughout the next three months as I lay couped up in bed. Through all the worry, fear and loneliness that filled that vulnerable time, I took comfort in knowing that God was by my side. I read to my still unnamed daughter from the new testament and joy flooded my soul. It was the only thing that could breakdown the walls of fear that had built up around me. I also remember the day that, as I read the book of Matthew aloud in a house of excruciating quiet, I realized that God would take care of me. I'm glad to say that my crying two-year-old is one of the babies who made it. The prophet Habakkuk left us an example to follow in troubled times. Habakkuk 3:17-18 reads:

Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will be joyful in God my Savior.

Habakkuk faced his fears by recognizing the hardships that lay ahead - famine so great that the livestock would not survive. He did not run and hide. He did not lash out in angry frustration. Fully aware of his harsh circumstances, Habakkuk chose to rejoice. We don't have to be trouble-free or ignore the realities of the world, nor do we need to put on a happy facade. Instead, we are called to accept our situation and choose to find joy in our savior, Jesus Christ.
Paul reiterates this point in Hebrews 13:5, when he writes: Be content with what you have, because God has said, "Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.” True happiness is found by first seeking God, then accepting our circumstances, all the while knowing that He has promised never to leave us. In our darkest hour, we too can choose to rejoice in the redeeming love of Christ, whose love endures forever.

It is neither the car, the house, the kids or even a faithful husband or wife that make us happy. True happiness comes in fulfilling the role that God created just for us, to rejoice in Him. We never know how many people will be impacted by the joy of our hearts. Let's celebrate the circumstances that make up the life God has so graciously given us. Paul said it best in Philippians 4:4, Rejoice in the Lord always, I will say it again, rejoice!

Among Friends

2008-07-05T06:10:00.001-07:00

I was happy to see a good friend's name show up on my caller ID a couple of weeks ago. She is one of those friends you can depend on to share a good laugh or cry, and lots of faith-building conversation. A victim of the lagging Michigan economy, she has now relocated out-of-state, so phone calls take on a whole new sense of importance. This conversation was laced with the usual catching up and sharing of our joys and sorrows. Her sorrow these days lies in the loneliness that accompanies life away from home. The search for a new set of friends is harder than homebodies like myself fully realize.

My response to her dilemma took on a Pollyanna tone when I replied with a heartfelt, “Well, you always have your best friend, Jesus.” I was surprised when she confessed that she never really viewed God that way. God is God after all, but a friend? That's something different altogether. My heart aches when I think about my friend, whose faith has often awed me, not knowing the side of Jesus that I hold most dear - Jesus, my friend.

This isn't the first time I have encountered this situation, and I am doubtful that it will be the last. Jesus has extended a hand of friendship to us all. In John 15:15, Jesus shows us the ropes on friendship:

I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master's business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you.

Just as is true of close friendships between us ordinary folk, to be Jesus' friends, we have to get to know Him. Reading His word, prayer, and time spent together are great ways to start. Talk to Jesus, as you would any close friend, with the bare vulnerability that allows a deep friendship to blossom. If you don't know what to say, then start by saying just that, “Jesus, I don't know what to say.” Then, listen. I am often amazed by how a conversation that starts so simply, ends in a beautiful revelation that could only come from God himself.

In the past, I was afraid that if I took the time to stop and listen for God, all I would get in response would be dead air. Why would God want to talk to me? How will I know if I am hearing His voice, or if the response is nothing more than my own random thoughts? It turns out that I was greatly over complicating the issue. In John 10:14, Jesus said, “I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me...” When you have accepted Jesus into your life, you are a part of his flock. You will know His voice when you hear it. If you are ever in doubt, there is a simple way to keep yourself in check. Jesus is the good shepherd. A word from Him will bring forth results that are good for both you and the people around you. Patience, prayer and the word of God are our guides. Jesus will not lead us astray.

The grace of God through Christ Jesus is a gift, but His friendship does not come without stipulation. In John 15, Jesus goes on to say that we are His friends, if we keep His command to love one another as He has loved us. If we desire a close friendship with the Lord, then we need to live our lives from a place of unrestricted love and compassion for others. The true test of our commitment to the Lord comes when we choose to love the people in our lives that hurt us. My friendship with Jesus reaches new levels, when I lean on Him to help me love someone who hasn't always treated me the way I would like to be treated. It is in these times that I see Him most clearly.

My friendship with Jesus brings me greater joy than I ever knew was possible. When Jesus declared His friendship with the disciples he said, “I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.” It's true – my friendship with Jesus completes me. There is nothing like it. Give it a try; you'll see what I mean.

Holiness: Celebrating our Freedom in Christ

2008-06-27T18:13:00.000-07:00

by Pastor Martin Hodge

The motto of the Church of the Nazarene is, “Called unto Holiness.” You can go to the church’s general website and type those words and find 469 articles relating to that phrase. Is the call to holiness just wishful thinking or is it possible for today’s Christian?

A.W. Tozer wrote … “God’s holiness is not simply the best we know infinitely bettered. We know nothing like the divine holiness. It stands apart, unique, unapproachable, incomprehensible and unattainable. The natural man is blind to it. He may fear God’s power and admire his wisdom, but His holiness he cannot even imagine.”

God is holy. “My thoughts are not your thoughts. Nor are your ways My ways, says the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, So are My ways higher than your ways and My thoughts than your thoughts.” (Isaiah 55:8-9) He’s holy – He’s set apart from the ways and thoughts of sinful man.

It’s important to realize the imperative nature of the call Christians have to live lives of holiness - and WHY we are to do so. God does not say, “Be holy, and I’ll make it worth your while.” Not even, “Be holy, and I‘ll bless you.” NO. God says in His law (Leviticus 11:44 – and it’s reiterated in the New Testament in 1 Peter 1:16) … “Be holy FOR I AM HOLY.” Holiness is God’s essential character. The journey of the believer is INTO HOLINESS. It’s about becoming more and more distinct and separate from the fallen condition of this world. The opposite of holiness is “SAMENESS”. To be unholy is to be just the same as everybody else. Our lives should be a stark contrast to those around us who have not come into right relationship with God.

So here is the race the Christian runs. Hebrews 12:14 commands us to “pursue … holiness without which no person will see the Lord.” Everything in God’s presence is holy – set apart for Him, sharing His holiness (e.g. the angels). All in His presence is holy.

Now the thing that makes us holy and fit for His presence is the finished work of Jesus on the Cross. His blood that was shed for us. We are made holy by the Lord Jesus when we believe in Him and receive Him. When God looks at the believer He sees His own Son, their Savior – standing in their place, and He declares that we are holy.

But Jesus does more than just make us “look” holy. When He comes into our lives by His Spirit He begins the process of changing us from the inside out so that we are empowered to live holy lives – to BE holy in every way.

What is God’s #1 agenda for your life today? CHANGE! He is making you holy. Every day He’s making you to be more like His Son Jesus. He’s setting you apart to be uniquely His – separate from all that is ungodly.

And I testify today that a life of holiness is a DELIGHT, not just a duty. It brings marvelous joy. True holiness brings us into close, uninhibited fellowship with God. And that in itself is where real joy and fulfillment is found.

Cubical Daze

2008-06-08T12:53:00.001-07:00

Imagine a day like any other. You sit down at your desk, ready to put in a productive eight to ten hours, and clear your throat only to find that annoying tickle just won't go away. Coffee doesn't seem to cut it, so you head to the water cooler.

After a refreshing gulp, you run into Suzy Q from accounting. She looks tired. Her eyes are red and puffy. If you weren't so sure, you'd swear she's been crying. You share a generic greeting and ask how she's been. The response is not good. She confesses sleepless nights and a general discontentment with life. Her eyes say it all.

Suddenly you're faced with an opportunity to share the gospel, fantastic right? Except, you're at work. The person standing here seems to be interested. She's all but begged you for the truth, or maybe you're just being over zealous. We all get carried away sometimes, right? Besides, you're at work. Certainly that would be considered politically incorrect, and maybe your boss wouldn't look upon it too kindly. Isn't God really the boss anyway? If you're a Christian out in the work force, this situation is inevitable.

There was a man, Shaun, I worked with in an engineering lab a few years ago. A Chinese native and something of a black sheep around the office, he was often the subject of wayward gossip. Even I had to admit he was a bit rough around the edges, but I was always nice. I'd like to say this was because I was trying to live up to the 'do unto others' standard set by our Lord, but the reality is I didn't think about it much.

One morning, the rhythmic hum of the copy machine was overlaid with a harmony of heavy footsteps and jingling change. I looked up and caught Shaun's silhouette in the window.

“Good morning, Shaun,” I said, blinking the sun from my eyes.

He stopped in his tracks, which was somewhat unusual. “Good morning,” he replied in a thick accent, grinning from ear to ear, which was even further out of the ordinary . He tipped his head to the left inquisitively.

“Why are you so happy, Heather?” he asked.

Truth be told, I had no idea what he'd just said, his accent was thick after all, and the question had taken me somewhat off guard. “I'm sorry, what did you say?” I replied, my mind still half involved in an upcoming meeting.

“You know – happy.” He followed with an over exaggerated grin and turned his index fingers toward his now ominous teeth. “Why are you always so happy?”

“I don't know,” I replied, “I just am, I guess.” Meanwhile, my fingers gently turned the silver cross around my neck.

“Oh. I see.” he answered, then turned and headed back toward the lab.

“Wait – it's Jesus!” My brain cried out, unfortunately my lips didn't follow suit. My feet felt like two cement blocks. What just happened here? The door of opportunity had opened, and I had not walked through. Instead, I stood there dumbfounded as it closed in my face.

I thought about following him, but decided against it. My meeting would start in a few minutes, and our boss was a stickler for punctuality. There will be time later. Maybe, I'll catch him after lunch, I thought. Lunch hour went by, then evening came and Shaun was no where to be found. The next morning, our boss revealed what had happened. Shaun was a victim of corporate downsizing.

The rest of the meeting was rather dull, as always. I tried to stay focused, but my mind drifted back to my morning devotion. It had become a habit to start out my workday with a moment in my parked car thumbing through the scriptures before heading into the office. I selected a scripture to turn over in my mind periodically throughout the day. I would follow up with a moment of prayer that generally went something like this, “Lord, give me strength to get through this day with a good attitude, and to do my work to the best of my ability. In Jesus' name I pray, amen.”

Of course I was thinking about my work, the reports that needed to be written, the presentations to be prepared, and the never ending tests that needed to be performed. Little did I know, God had something bigger in mind. While I was busy praying that my tests would go off without a hitch, God was about to change my perspective into one with eternal value. That morning's scripture was written by Paul in Colossians 4:5-6 (NIV), ... make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.

If only I had Paul's wisdom a day earlier, would it have made a difference? I don't know, but the next time I'm going to be ready. I'd like to say I tracked Shaun down and proclaimed the truth of the gospel, but I never spoke with him about it again. Sure I prayed for another opportunity, but that was not meant to be. Now I pray that God will present that opportunity to someone bold enough to take advantage of it, and that I may have another chance to prove I am capable of the same.

Faith in Jesus Christ is what makes me happy, and faith comes through hearing the message (see Romans 10:17). That person pecking away at the keyboard next to you may be the one whose eternity is waiting to be transformed by the good news today. Don't be afraid to open your mouth and walk through the door of opportunity when it presents itself. You'll be glad you did.