Focus '17 - Momentum - Entry #10

Hi Friends!

I am grateful for this season set-apart to celebrate the birth of Jesus and my hope is this will be "A December to Remember" through the ministry of Connections Christian Church.

Each week we will look to forgo three meals (fast) and use those opportunities to focus on the humanity, glory, grace and truth of our Savior.

With each of those opportunities we will look to individually and collectively leverage 12 ways of Christmas into our communities and throughout the world.

See our "upcoming events" page for seasonal themed times of worship and service as we look forward to hosting your families, friends, and guests.

Jesus made His dwelling among us in the flesh, glorifying God in His Spirit, exemplified by the fullness of His grace and truth.

We hope to model Jesus' ministry and make this "A December to Remember" with 12 ways of Christmas promoting peace on earth and goodwill to all mankind.

God's Peace and Merry Christmas,
Jeff

Focus '17 - Momentum - Entry # 9

Hi Friends!

Fall is in full-bloom with fields ripe for the harvest, even as challenges to civility continue to compound daily, in a culture of relativism. So think of this for a moment if you would?

Imagine a world in which a kaleidoscope of  neighborhoods and nations, blended as naturally as the variable foliage of a diverse forest, splashed with rays of sunlight by day and moonlight by night.

Would you agree, that nothing on earth would be more beautiful than the brilliant diversity of all humanity, united harmoniously in absolute civility?

If so, consider again or perhaps for some anew, that Christ died for the sins of all people so that all people may live together with Him.  

Christ is absolute civility.

I recently saw a corporate ad centered around The Golden Rule, yet it is Christ who said, "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you" (Luke 6:31). 

Christ is the person who wrote The Golden Rule perfectly, writing it in red for all humanity.

Christ shed His crimson blood on the cross of Calvary, to allow brilliantly colored people in all neighborhoods and nations to be saved from the penalty of sin, which is eternal death.

Christ is the only person who gives eternal life to all people.

Join me in giving thanks to Christ for sharing His vision, mission, and values with all humanity. Purpose to bring absolute civility to culture with Christ's brilliantly diverse family portrait in mind.

God's Peace and My Prayers,

Jeff

Focus '17 - Momentum - Entry # 8

Hi Friends!

Our new sermon series centers around taking the teachings of the Bible and turning them loose in the daily circumstances of our lives - for the word of God is alive and active - the Bible not only allows us to survive in the storms of life but thrive in all seasons of life as well.

The generosity of CCC to assist people in need through partnership with Life Forward, Hands Against Hunger, Matthew 25 Ministries, and City Gospel Mission is compelling - living to love and bless others in the name of Jesus is a high calling - thank you for answering the call.

Continue to pray for people with physical and emotional and spiritual needs - pray to be salt and light and to continue to love others unconditionally by sharing the truth of Jesus inclusively with all people - remembering it is truly a greater blessing to give than to receive.

Thanks be to God for the indescribable gift of Jesus - a great gift to receive and a greater gift to give!

God's Peace,
Jeff

Focus 17' - Momentum - Entry # 7

Hi Friends!

Imagine a work day where every colleague cared for one another with unconditional love? Imagine if every work day was fueled by compassion for one another? Imagine a week where the first concerns of all were for the welfare of others?

OK, pinch yourself and wake-up! Some people in the world actually live to advance their personal agenda at the expense of anyone in their path. Some people are only concerned with self-gain at all costs, even the cost of personal relationships.

But GOD! Yes GOD is greater than all our sins and His love never fails because at least ONE, God's only begotten Son,  never failed to have any debt but love. Question is will you be another? Will you be like Jesus and bring the unimaginable into reality?

Will you be one who loves even should others despise your integrity, mock your character, and look to cause you personal harm? That's a snapshot of what Jesus did on the cross for us and that is what He calls us to do for others.

Will you be one who loves your neighbors and co-workers as Jesus does?

God's Peace,
Jeff

Focus ' 17 Momentum - Entry # 6

Hi Friends!

With Summer in full season I want to thank the leadership of the church for a sabbatical of refreshing and renewal with the preaching ministry of the church! While my engagement in ministry continues to be filled with moments of service and praise, the opportunity to soak in some sermons from guest ministers and missionaries is a blessing for all!

It is amazing how the Lord works through the church to bring PEACE to All People in the world who choose to accept Jesus as their Savior and Lord! The Bible describes this PEACE to be beyond our human understanding and that it is only available in the Person of Christ Jesus! It is a PEACE that reconciles All People with God and with one another!

• Read Philippians 4 and "Rejoice in Jesus Always"

• I'll say it again "Rejoice in Jesus Always"

• And pray for our Guest Speakers to continue to bring PEACE to All People in Jesus

God's Peace and My Prayers,

Jeff

Focus '17 - Momentum - Entry # 5

1 Thessalonians 4:16-17

¹⁶ For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. ¹⁷ After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever.

Hi Friends!

One of the things I prepare for each day is my daily-to-do-list and I often revise it two to three times to better prioritize the possibilities of each day. I look to check items off the list and often have some sense of accomplishment as I do believing that most of those things make some kind of positive difference for others as well as myself. As I look to turn the page on a new month I also do a monthly review of goals and time-lines and opportunities and the like.

 

In reflecting upon the above verses earlier this morning I reviewed my to-do-list an extra-time today and revised it yet again. I took another pass at the month of June as well. Admittedly I realized anew that in light of the Lord’s pending return that some things on my daily-to-do-list and monthly-to-do-list are much more important than others. I even added a couple items to the “top 10” things to do on my list.

 

That exercise made me wonder how different the world might be if I were more faithful to use the filter of the Lord’s pending return to better prioritize each of my thoughts and my actions of each and every one of my days? And what might the church look like in the world if every member of the church took a moment to review and possibly rewrite their daily-to-do-list and monthly-to-do-list using the Lord’s pending return as their priority filter?

 

Think of it like this: when asked, Jesus said about His return “Watch and be ready.” 

My thought is that using the filter of the Lord’s pending return more faithfully in putting together our daily-to-do-lists is something that would serve to grow the church in the world? At a minimum I found that it caused me to grow in the Lord today and as such I hope if you participate in the same exercise it might do much the same for each of you and more than we can ask, think, or imagine in the world as His church.

Final thought - something that is on my list and will stay on my list as a result of reflecting upon this is to remember to  honor daily those who sacrificially have and do provide the freedom for us to even have and prioritize to-do-lists - one being our Savior and Lord Jesus who died on the cross for our sins to give us the freedom to live eternally in Him and others being the men and women in our armed services who guard and protect that freedom as their daily priority.

 

God’s Peace,

Jeff

Focus ' 17 - Momentum - Entry # 4

Hi Friends!

Imagine a world where The Rhythm of Life is Mercy? 

The Bible tells us the Lord's mercies are new each day (Lamentations 3:23) and that those who are merciful will be shown mercy (Matthew 5:7). 

That's the focus of our current sermon series at Connections Christian Church. 

I encourage you to pray about that, check out the video message below, and commit or re-commit yourself to The Rhythm of Mercy.

God's Peace and My Prayers,

Jeff

Focus '17 - Momentum - Entry # 3

Hi Friends!

It's been said that we live in "a dog eat dog world" - but the Bible assures us there is a healthy alternative to participating in grumbling and growling with one another - the Bible says we can choose to be "patient" with one another (see James 5:7-12).

Job is referenced in the above passage as a man who exemplified "patience" even in the face of adversity and significant life challenges - most people are familiar to some degree with Job's story and the axiom "he or she has the patience of Job" - which leads to my thoughts below.

Job 23: 10-11

¹⁰ But he knows the way that I take;

    when he has tested me, I will come forth as gold.
¹¹ My feet have closely followed his steps;
    I have kept to his way without turning aside.

Job is one who suffered immensely for righteousness sake - but consistently told the truth and seldom lost his "patience" and never lost his way with God - we would be wise to pray for and aim for the same in our relationships with one another, Amen?

Here's a concluding thought - the name Job and the job you are tasked to do each day are spelled the same way - look to make "patience" a pillar of your work life and look to bring "patience" home much like your paycheck and share it abundantly to strengthen your family.

God’s Peace and My Prayers,

Jeff

Focus ' 17 - Momentum - Entry # 2

Psalm 33:4-5

4 For the word of the Lord is right and true;
    he is faithful in all he does.
5 The Lord loves righteousness and justice;
    the earth is full of his unfailing love.

The above verses say so much about our LORD and HIS WORD - as I read and reflect and respond to them I am most grateful that on the last day of January 2017, a month in which we celebrate the Sanctity of Life - that we were blessed with a Supreme Court Nominee in our nation who historically has honored GOD and HIS WORD by advocating and advancing that which is faithful, right, and true.

I pray the church is rejoicing with humble and grateful hearts as the earth is full of GOD’S unfailing love for that which HIS WORD tells us HE loves...righteousness and justice for all human beings.

Lord, I thank you,

In Jesus Name I thank you,
Amen.

God’s Peace,
Jeff

Focus '17 - MOMENTUM - Guaranteed Steps to Sieze IT and Keep IT

Hi Friends!

With each New Year comes New Resolutions - but as experience has taught me and I am thinking some of you as well - sometimes our best intentions quickly become burdens of frustration littered by a trail of shattered dreams and broken promises.

So what's a person to do? Read another book, attend another webinar, perhaps join another accountability group? Any or all of the above may help you? But what if there was a step that would guarantee your success?

This year I am challenging myself to take a step that admittedly is easier to read than to respond to - that said I guarantee it is the only step anyone needs to take - in order to align all your other steps to fulfill your dreams and keep your promises in the New Year.

So what is it? What step can a person take that will allow you to Seize and Keep MOMENTUM in the New Year? Is it a revolutionary and revitalizing diet? Is it an on-line course that teaches how to mend relationships or start a new career with less hours and an abundance of cash?

No it's none of those things and I'm not saying all of those things are wrong or inappropriate...

This step is so simple - that if or when you might miss it you can instantly recalibrate the cracks in your dreams and compromises in your promises simply by retaking it - to take the step is simply a matter of prioritizing your life to make it your first step with each new day.

James 1:22 says "Do not merely listen to the word (of God), and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says." Can you believe it? That's all a person with faith in Jesus Christ empowered by the Holy Spirit needs to do to Seize and Keep MOMENTUM in the New Year?

That's really all there is to IT (no small print) - this single step is guaranteed to align your will and ways to the Word of God which endures forever - I hope you will join me and millions in the church throughout the world that are looking to take that step daily in the New Year.

God's Peace and Momentum,

Jeff

Focus '16 - Life on Mission - Entry #11

Hi Friends!

As we Celebrate the Birth of Jesus my spirit is into a simple but hopefully profound approach to Christmas - I want to encourage everyone to receive the gift of Jesus, rejoice in the gift of Jesus, and regift Jesus to others - because "the gift of God is eternal life in Jesus" (Romans 6:23 b).

Receive Jesus...

                  Rejoice in Jesus...

                                     Regift Jesus...

                                                 For the gift of God is eternal life in Jesus...

God's Peace and Merry Christmas,

Jeff

Focus '16 Life on Mission - Entry # 10

Hi Friends!

Leading through Thanksgiving and into Christmas can be a very special time - it's a time when the competing worldviews of Christianity and secular humanism can collide in a very positive way - it's a time when most regardless of their worldview can count their blessings and share sacrificially and often generously with others with a spirit of joy.

It's in the spirit of these seasons that I want to encourage people to "Reboot Now for Next Year" - to use these seasons not as a time to stress secondary to seasonal demands but to refresh with readiness for your next steps heading into a new year - I'm not asking you to make resolutions in November or December but to prayerfully plan your participation in your life journey heading into January 2017.

Here's what I have in mind -

Week one - an invitation to explore personal Christianity

Week two - an invitation to engage potential Opportunities

Week three - an invitation to empower past Barriers

Week four - an invitation to expand peripheral Vision

I hope these seasons and this sermon series will serve to bless you as you bless others - I hope this is a time you can Reboot your relationship with Jesus and in doing so share His light and love with those you meet with a different worldview - I hope this is a time that leaves you with a resolute plan to explore, engage, empower, and expand your personal worldview now for next year.

"May God bless you all. Yes, I pray that God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ will give each of you his fullest blessings, and his peace in your hearts and lives" (Philippians 1:2 LB).

God's Peace,

Jeff

Focus '16 - Life on Mission - Entry # 9

Psalm 33:12  New International Version (NIV)

12 Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord...

Hi Friends!

The word blessed literally translated means to be very happy or realistically translated means to be very fortunate - our church is blessed or literally very happy and realistically most fortunate - because our Lord and God is Christ Jesus.

The mission of Christ Jesus - is for our lives, homes, communities, nation and world to literally and to realistically be blessed through His church - this is at the heart of our current lesson series as we look to Christ Jesus to reconcile relationships to God and among all people through His church.

A couple of prayers I am asking you to pray were offered by Daniel (Chapter 9) and David (Psalm 51) - each prayer reminds us to 1) Confirm God's Mercy 2) Confess Our Sins and 3) Compel God's Forgiveness - I also ask you to reflect on the passage below believing the continued blessings of our spiritual heritage require us to continue to put our hope in the unfailing love of our Lord.

Psalm 33:16-22  New International Version (NIV)

16 No king is saved by the size of his army;

    no warrior escapes by his great strength.

17 A horse is a vain hope for deliverance;

    despite all its great strength it cannot save.

18 But the eyes of the Lord are on those who fear him,

    on those whose hope is in his unfailing love,

19 to deliver them from death

    and keep them alive in famine.

20 We wait in hope for the Lord;

    he is our help and our shield.

21 In him our hearts rejoice,

    for we trust in his holy name.

22 May your unfailing love be with us, Lord,

    even as we put our hope in you.

Friends, my deep desire is for you to continue to be blessed and to continue to be a blessing by continuing to put your hope in the unfailing love of our Lord - never forget that the mission of the church is reconciling all people to God and each other in Christ Jesus - and because of that we are very happy and most fortunate!

God's Peace,

Jeff

Focus '16 - Life on Mission - Entry # 8

Hi Friends!

The Bible says "If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone" (Romans 12:18). So rather than make excuses and reflect upon historical references as to why peace is not always possible, I want to encourage each of you to focus on you.

As much as it depends upon you I want to encourage each of  you to do whatever you possibly can to let all people know that all people matter to our Savior and Lord Jesus Christ. My conviction is there will never be a better time than now to restore unity in our nation.

Let your light shine -
Let your love flow-
Let your life bless-

Be the church, be the peace of Jesus that passes all human understanding, the peace that can guard all hearts and all minds, the peace that can unite one nation under the one true God into one people that matter not only to God, but that all matter to one another.

Pray for revival -
Pray for revival again -
Pray for revival again and again and again and always -

Spiritual Revival in our nation is the one thing that can displace the division that comes with talk of black and blue with the reality that all people of all colors matter to God - you matter, your neighbors matter, and every neighborhood in every nation matters to God.

As much as it depends upon you - be the peace of Jesus to all people because all people matter to the one true God - may there be Spiritual Revival in our nation that facilitates peace and unity for all people and it may it begin with you, the church of Jesus Christ.

This is my prayer for you, for the church, to be peace in the world in Jesus name. Amen

Jeff

Focus '16 - Life on Mission - Entry # 7

Hi Friends!

Jesus teaches that all human relations can be reconciled by loving God with all your heart, all your soul, all your strength, and all your mind (said another way: with your entire being) and by loving your neighbor as you love yourself.

Look around and ask yourself if the world could use those expressions of love from all people right now? My answer to that question is yes and my prayer for Connections Christian Church is that we will express that love and show all people that God is love and loves all people.

Our current lesson series is about living in "New Times" by learning and following the "Old Testimonies" of God's Word - we believe people who embrace Biblical truth and values from centuries past - will be blessings to one another and to our communities, nation and world today.

We believe what the world needs now is love for God and all people!

How 'bout you?

God's Peace,

Jeff

Focus ' 16 - LIFE ON MISSION - Entry # 5

Hi Friends!

Our Summer Sermon Series is "1 Big Happy Family" - the goal is not to guilt people out for their shortcomings - but to pump people up for possibilities for improving relationships in Christ!

Said another way - the idea is to identify practical Biblical ways to celebrate family life that will weather whatever challenges come - we won't turn a blind-eye but will look to focus on family fun!

Jesus prayed the above prayer for you - this is what Jesus desires for your family - He desires for all people to enjoy unity in faith, hope, and love!

That's the fun that's before us - I pray you will enjoy the journey this Summer as we celebrate family unity in Christ - and the greatest of these is love!

God's Peace,
Jeff

Memorial Day 2016

Hi Friends!

Each Lord's Day we gather to commune and remember the sacrifice of our Savior and Lord Jesus - Memorial Day is a National Holiday to remember the sacrifice of those who have protected that freedom - and many other freedoms that we continue to enjoy.

Memorial Day is also called Decoration Day - which reminds us to decorate the graves and remember the lives of those who have gone before us - these virtues are also honorable and pure and find their origin in Scripture where we are encouraged to remember not only Jesus but the faithful lives of His followers.

Sunday's 10:30 AM Worship Service at Connections Christian Church will center around these themes - remembering Jesus and honoring the lives of His faithful followers - we will honor many who have gone before us and several living among us and all who protect the freedom we enjoy to worship in the name of Jesus Christ.

 

I also encourage you to participate in the Memorial Walk in Madeira on Monday - may all be especially blessed and be a special blessing this Memorial Day Weekend - with our deepest gratitude for all those past, present, and future who protect the freedoms we enjoy in America!

God's Peace,

Jeff

Focus '16 - LIFE ON MISSION - Entry # 4

Hi Friends,

When I update this blog I am reminded that it is written with bias - I write from a Christian worldview - I believe Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life and that no one can have a right relationship with His Father apart from Him - I believe this because Jesus said so in John 14:6.

If I know the only way for a child to cross the street safely - is for the child to walk in the crosswalk when the traffic light  for oncoming traffic is red and the hand on the walk light is white - I'm not intolerant but loving for teaching a child to walk this way.

We make decisions daily that one way is the right way to live safely - I love people enough to tell them that Jesus is the right way to live safely with God - I believe Jesus when He said no one leaves earth to go to heaven and be with God apart from Him.

Look around and we see multiple flashing signs promising peace - truth is Jesus is like no other because He alone provides peace with God that guards our hearts and minds for eternity - to that end I post a prayer for people I minister with and to in my daily path.

Sincerely,

Jeff

Focus '16 - LIFE ON MISSION - Entry # 3

"God made Him who had no sin to be sin for us, 

so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God." 

2 Corinthians 5:21 NIV

Hi Friends!

With Spring on the horizon and Easter Celebrations fast approaching - our focus at Connections Christian Church is on Jesus who as deity became human like us - with the mission of bringing us back into a right relationship with God.

We will be discussing how Jesus came into our world of sin and death in order to give us a way out of it with a life of peace for eternity - our discussion will be theology to be lived not shelved - with the next chapters being the ones Jesus writes through those who choose to follow Him.

Don't be fooled by competing worldviews - Jesus is like no other - historically there are many great people, prophets, teachers, and leaders but none who transformed a crucifix from an instrument of horrific death to holistic life...save Jesus.

Jesus lives to be your friend like no other - He is always faithful and His love never ever fails  - be careful to connect with Him this Spring and Easter Season by reading His gospels and discussing Him with others.

I am excited to witness the next chapters Jesus writes through your lives - continue to be blessed in Him and be a blessing to those you know, meet, and serve in His name and remember HE LIVES for all people to have a right relationship with God - don't be fooled...Jesus is a friend like no other!

God's Peace,
Jeff

Focus ' 16 - LIFE ON MISSION - Entry # 2

Hi Friends!

So we are about a month into LIFE ON MISSION at Connections Christian Church and the question basically boils down to this - does the old, old story of God's love for humanity inspire us to love others as He does? Whether you read it in the original Greek or the latest translation - the story of Jesus is the same yesterday, today and forever.

"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son (Jesus), that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have everlasting life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God's one and only Son. This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but men loved the darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil. Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for the fear that his deeds will be exposed. But whoever lives by truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what he has done has been done through God" (Jesus as recorded in John 3: 16-21).

LIFE ON MISSION is inspired by the truth - by the old, old story of Jesus who did not come to condemn but to save people from darkness and hatred with His light and love. When anyone puts their faith in Jesus - it will be plainly seen by all that what is being done is being done by God.

"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" (Jesus as recorded in Matthew 5:14-16).

The link below reminds me of many people I know - people who are walking in the truth and touching others with the light and love of life. The greater our faith in Jesus - the brighter our light and stronger our love for others. To that end I ask you to join me in offering this continual prayer to God our Heavenly Father - "Increase our faith in your one and only Son Jesus."

https://vimeo.com/16301164

God's Peace,
Jeff