Humility

In his book, A Replica of Greatness, Douglas Pratt discusses humility, which he calls the elusive virtue. He calls it elusive because just when you think you have achieved it, that's when you lose it. It really is an interesting virtue that Jesus calls us to display. He gave us the example and as Phil 2 says, our attitude should be the same as that of our Lord Jesus.

So, here is Pratt's succinct definition. I really like it.

"Humility is not thinking less of yourself; it's just not thinking about yourself at all."

Think about that and may the Lord make us true, humble servants just as Jesus was and is.

Gotcha Day

Sunday was Jason's 3rd birthday.  What an amazing little guy he is.  I have to be honest that when we knew we were getting our second son, I wondered if I could possibly love the second one as much as I loved Zachary, our oldest.  Well, I guess we have a greater capacity to love than I ever imagined.  

June 7th is a double special day for the Rohlins.  In 2004, that was the day we got Zachary in that hotel lobby in Guatemala.  Most adoptive parents celebrate that as "Gotcha Day"  And then in 2006, Jason was born.

Sunday night as we were putting both boys to bed, we were telling them the story of the day we got each of them.  Zachary loves to hear all about it.  How we were in the lobby when he was handed to us.  Actually, he dove into Sandie's arms.  We finished retelling him the story and then Jason chimes in.  "Tell me about when you got me."  So, we had to tell him about the time in Guatemala and then the snow storm he met when he landed in America.  Finally, we got both of them to settle down and go to bed.

Every kid wants to hear stories about themselves.  And I think it must be extra special for adoptive little guys to hear about their gotcha day.  The day when their forever parents came and got them.  We will rehearse this story with our boys for the rest of our lives.

This has many parallels to the day/time that Jesus came and rescued us and took us to be with Him forever.  When He became our forever parent.  I wonder, though.  We almost always tell our story from our perspective.  What about if we could hear the perspective of God on that day.  Zachary and Jason don't want to tell from their point of view.  They instead want to listen as we tell about all the details that we were involved in. 

Think about what God would tell you as he remembers the day that He got you.  Remember your "Gotcha Day."

ISOM Graduates

We took much of the service yesterday and honored the 17 students who graduated from ISOM.  This is the 5 trimester course that is offered at PF on Tuesdays.  It takes at least two years to complete the program.  A big congratulations to all you graduates.  Great job!!!!!

One of the graduates, Bob Clark was the speaker.  It was a great message and he encouraged us in 3 areas.  These are three truths that if we put them into practice we will be forever changed.

One:  Have a strong prayer/devotional life.  Do whatever it takes to discipline yourself so that you don't neglect this critical area of your life.  He said, "Be hard on yourself, you can take it."

Two:  Be Thankful!  Bob recommend that each of us get a little notebook and every day we should write down five things that we are thankful for that day.  If we do this, we will realize how much we really are blessed.  If you get a little discouraged or find yourself complaining, go back and read some of the entries you have written and how thankful we truly should be.

Three:  I John 3:11 says that the message is to LOVE one another.  Bob encouraged us to operate in love.  If you are going to error, error on the side of love.  We show that we love God by loving each other.  We as a church are family and if we love each other, we can get through anything.

These are fairly simple truths to write, but we can only put them into practice when we are empowered by the Spirit of God.  May we all have the devotional life we should have, may we all be very thankful people, and may we love each other as Christ loves us.

Thank you, Bob, for the great message and congratulations to all you graduates.  

Camp Halo

Swatting at Gnats

Here is an article written by Leslie Ordiway, PF's secretary.

Several weeks ago I received some insight with the help of a dear friend who asked “How are you?”  I answered “Well, I’m a little off kilter today because I read something that was disturbing to me.”  Insightfully, he asked me “Did you have to go out of your way to read this thing, or is it something you had to read for work or family?”  I said “Well, I had to click a few mouse clicks to read it and no, it has nothing to do with my job or home”  “Leslie” my wise friend said “Don’t go there.”  At this point my Holy Spirit sensor got all stirred up and I discerned God saying to me “Remember when you felt that check in your spirit?”   “Yes” I reluctantly answered God, “I didn’t go there at first because I felt that check, but then I went there later:” Then, in my minds eye, I saw a man in a canoe going through some white water.  He was focused in front of him as he maneuvered through a canyon.  Then I saw a swarm of pesky little gnats swarming around his head.  God said,  “Don’t swat at the gnats”  “There is Grace for what you are called to do, there is danger in swatting at gnats.”  “Keep your eyes on me.” 

“OK” I said.  Joy returned to my heart.

What have I learned that I’d like to share?

1.     Listen to God when you have a check in your spirit. 

2.     If God says “Don’t go there” then don’t go there.

3.     Good friends are God sent and God speaks through them. 

4.     Don’t swat at gnats

5.     Keep your eyes on Jesus

What is Ministry?

Pastor Mike Cavanaugh (Vice-President of Elim Fellowship) gives ministry a very practical definition.  Ministry is Loving God by caring for others.  Ministry is Loving God by caring for my family.  And Ministry is Loving God by caring for myself.

Many (especially those in full-time ministry) get caught up in caring for others at all expense.  They may feel that if they do something for their family or for themselves they are not being spiritual.  But, as Pastor Mike teaches all three areas of caring are intertwined.  They are all spiritual and they are all part of our life lived for Jesus.  When we as Disciples of Jesus begin to act as true ministers and take care of all three areas, then our lives, our families, our churches, and ultimately the world will never be the same.

So, the questions remain for each one of us.  Are we Caring for Others?  Are we Caring for our Families? and Are we Caring for Ourselves?

Psalm 42

Sunday, Fount Shults taught from Psalm 42.  He challenged us with three questions that I remind you of today.  

1.  What are you panting for?  The Psalm begins with "As the deer pants for the water, so my soul pants for you."  Are you panting/thirsting for God?  Or are you greatly desiring just the things that you want from God?

2. What causes you to weep?  Verse three says, "My tears have been my food day and night."  Are you weeping because of hurts done to you?  Or, are you crying with the things that break the heart of the Father?  Jesus wept over the corruption of humanity.  He didn't weep because of the cross or the pain that he had to face, or that all his friends had deserted him.  May we weep for the lost, hurting and broken world.

3.  What do you remember?  Verse 4 - "These things I remember."  What are you remembering?  The Hebrew concept of memory is not just with the mind, but also with the mouth.  To remember is to retell what you recall.  Brother Fount reminded us about the power of our testimony.  So, be careful what you are speaking.  Speak truth - speak in faith - speak hope.  Even if you can't recall anything good that God is or has done, at least remember creation, the cross and your salvation.  

Be encouraged today that Jesus wants to move in awesome ways as we join Him in the Father's heart.  And remember as you seek Him "never settle for less than more."