Ask the Pastor
January 30, 2009
A faithful CLCer asked this week: why did Jesus sometimes tell those he healed not to tell anyone, as in Matt. 9:29-30 and other places?
Curious minds want to know…unfortunately, the Bible never tells us why. What it does tell us in verse 31 is what they did about what He told them…namely, spread the news even faster and further! So, one possible answer is that Jesus knew human nature and told them not to tell in ‘reverse pyschology’, to spread the word faster.
A more likely answer is that He was trying to keep things from happening too fast – several passages indicate that He was keenly aware of His time, and He didn’t want His betrayal and crucifixion to happen before He had fulfilled His mission on the earth. Here are a few examples of that: John 2:3-4; John 7:5-7; John 7:29-30; John 8:19-21.
Hope that helps. Now, what would YOU like to ask the pastor?
Coming home different
January 29, 2009
Like the Magi or like God’s stated plan for the people of Israel (He always wants us to go home different after we’ve spent time in His Presence), Chris and I are returning to Chicago different. I say that for these reasons:
- obviously, any encounter with the Holy Spirit should change us, and we’ve certainly been in the Presence of the Lord during these days at the Reconciliation! Ministries Team meeting hosted by Church for the Nations.
- besides, how could you be around Bishop Garlington for 5 sessions in 48 hours and not be changed?
- but especially we’ve heard numerous testimonies from pastors just like us who now have amazing stories of God’s provision of property & buildings that are enabling them to reach hundreds more people (just like our prayer)…but those stories of miraculous provision only came after periods of intense opposition and prolonged spiritual fights and persistent faith!
Not sure how or why we’ve neglected that last part, but we’re coming home full of faith that’s tempered with the knowledge that any breakthrough God gives is likely to be contested by the enemy, but that we will still win in the end!
We also had separate meetings with Larry Davis, the CEO of Intermedia Publishing Group and my wife’s publisher, Jon McHatton, and we’re excited about getting her newest book into the hands of more folks who will benefit from it’s principles.
In fact, starting this Sunday at our Tinley Park campus, Chris will be sharing those principles in a new sermon series – we hope you’ll invite someone to be your guest as we see how we can thrive through a crisis!
In God We Trust testimony (generosity)
January 28, 2009
I was encouraged this past Sunday when over 40 adults accepted the “90-day tithe challenge”, but even more so on Monday morning when I received an email from a couple of our elders, David & Robin Hernandez. Since Revelation 19:10 tells us that the “testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy”, I know that sharing their testimony will inspire others to trust God with your own finances. In fact, I experienced the truth of that principle for myself this morning here in Phoenix, when a three different pastors shared their story of how God has supernaturally provided property and buildings for their ministry – I’ll be coming home with renewed faith for CLC!
Here’s the Hernandez’s story, in David’s own words:
During the past few months we have been having a lot of financial difficulties, and as Prophet Tom Morrison had spoken over us that “Everything that could be shaken would be shaken”, it has been. So we knew that God had it all in His hand. There were other things in the prophecy that we are seeing also. Not just the scary one.
In this season of financial difficulties, Robin and I haven’t felt we were able to give much. We continued tithing and gave a little more, but not much.
In the past we have made it a habit to give to people we thought were in need. Most were not ministers, just people that God put on our hearts. Last week we were talking about how much we missed doing that so we decided we would do it even if we couldn’t afford it.
We gave a small amount of money to someone we thought could use it. And in the week since then we have received close to 16 times the amount of money that we gave. I wish we would have given more!
Thank you for your teaching on sowing and reaping, and for helping me recognize good ground for planting.”
Look at God! As I said on Sunday, we don’t give in order to get, but it is a Law of the Kingdom, and it works!
I’m so glad that our CLC family is made up of people like David & Robin, and I want to be a generous person!
Do you have a story to share? I know others would be inspired, if you’ll share it below-
In God We Trust testimony (employment)
January 27, 2009
You know the Bible says one of the ways we defeat our enemy is by our testimony, and I also know how encouraging it is to others who find themselves in similar situations, so I’ve got to share a couple of stories I’ve heard recently.
The first comes from a CLCer (Willie Reid) who recently lost his job during the economic downturn. He shared with me last week than he recently interviewed with another company, who inquired about his previous position. The employer then said, “well, since the commute here is much further than your last job, we’ll pay your travel expense. .. oh, and we’ll start your vacation days at the same level you had worked up to at that last job….oh, and the benefits (healthcare, etc) are better on this job than at your last company….oh, we haven’t talked about your salary, have we? What did you earn there? Well, we’ll pay you more than that….”
By the time the interview was over, Willie had received travel expenses, better benefits, no loss of vacation time, and a significantly larger salary than in his previous job – and all of it starts before his unemployment benefits even ran out!
By the way, Willie was one of those in the prayer line after the “Nine to Five” message when we prayed for every CLCer who was unemployed. Praise God for answering prayer for Willie, but just as importantly, let his testimony stir your faith to believe for your miracle! If Jesus could track one fish in the lake for Peter, He can direct you to the exact employer who will be a match for your job skills!
I’ll share another story tomorrow, but meanwhile, does anyone else have a ‘story’ to share about God providing employment?
off to Phoenix
January 26, 2009
I almost feel guilty typing those words (but not quite!)….Chris & I will hop a plane in a little while to attend a Team Meeting with Reconciliation! Ministries International, led by my pastor, Bishop Joseph Garlington. Each member of the network is asked to attend at least two of the three scheduled meetings each year, and we missed the last two because of my son’s wedding and my wife’s surgery last year, so I really felt we had to attend this one (and Phoenix in January wasn’t a bad idea, either).
We’re also having lunch this afternoon with Chris’ publisher, Jon McHatton of Intermedia Publishing Group, which is based in Phoenix. So we’re looking forward to some strategic meetings and a little sunshine before returning to the frozen tundra on Thursday.
South Bend campus pastors
January 25, 2009
Finally, the word is out: we have appointed new Pastors to lead our South Bend campus – Doug & Shanna Neal!
Doug & Shanna have been a part of our church family for about 8 years, the last 5 as part of our staff, where they’ve served as Congregational Care pastors and more recently as Tinley Park Campus Pastors. During that time they have won the love of our entire church family, because of their heart for people. In fact, what Paul said of Timothy in Philippians 2:20-22, I can say of Doug & Shanna.
Change is never easy to accept, but it certainly seems that God is in this move. As Doug explained in all 3 services today, he had an experience with the Holy Spirit in early December that he compared to Peter’s vision in Acts 10, in which the Lord let him know that he would become the new campus pastor in South Bend.
After meeting with the leaders of that congregation this past Friday, it was obvious to me that God was at work on both ends to make this happen, so I am confident that good things are in store there under Doug & Shanna’s leadership.
While we don’t have all the answers as to how we’ll fill their shoes in Tinley Park, I have to believe that God does all things well, and that HE has a plan for our good at this campus as well.
Meanwhile, South Bend will welcome the Neal’s this coming Saturday and Sunday – get ready, get ready, get ready!
Sunday night reflections
January 25, 2009
My primary thought about today is I’m tired! I left my house about 5:45 this morning, and I got back about 8:35 tonight – here’s what happened in those 15 hours of my day:
- I was very gratified by the response in all 3 services to the final installment of “In God We Trust” – I’d say this has been the most enjoyable series ever at CLC (at least I’ve had more fun teaching)!
- Over 40 adults stepped up to take the “90-day tithe challenge”! I’m excited about people who are about to experience the blessing that God promised here!
- At least 8 or 9 adults came into right relationship with God today! (I love seeing people get saved anytime, but it seems especially neat to see it happen after a teaching on money!)
- We gave a prayerful & tearful send-off (three times!) to Pastors Doug & Shanna Neal who will begin leading our South Bend campus next weekend
- I enjoyed a scrumptuous Filipino buffet at a Bolingbrook restaurant w/CLCers Davis, Marissa & Nikki Ferraria, and Pastor Herley Montes! All my favorites: lumpia, pancit, chicken adobo, sticky rice., and more…yummmm! (Not to mention swapping stories about life in the Philippines, which really is one of my favorite places on earth!) By the way, we’re taking a missions trip there later this year, and you can get more info next Sunday at our missions booth in the lobby-
- Our annual Business meeting featured some great questions that gave us a chance to more fully explain the vision of CLC as a “multi-site” church, as well as review 2008 finances and select corporate officers for the coming year.
- I led my first membership class in I can’t remember how long (thank God for Beth Steindel, our Director of Membership Services, and a great team of membership coaches, who helped keep me on track) – and it’s always exciting to see the gjfted people that God is bringing to us at CLC!
Whew…makes me more tired just thinking about it all…and I’m calling it a day!
Ask the Pastor
January 23, 2009
Our question this week is quite different:I’ve tried to do research on the question but I can’t seem to come up with an answer that I understand. In 2nd Chronicles 11:18, it reads that King Rehoboam’s wife was named “Maachah” who was the daughter of “Absalom”, who gave him a son by the name of “Abijah”. If you go over to chapter 13:2, it reads that Abijah’s mother’s name was Michaigh, who was the daugher of Uriel.
I’ve got to admit that I hadn’t noticed that one – you are a detail person! But here’s what some of the commentators had to say about those verses:
In keeping with the chronicler’s purpose to magnify the Davidic dynasty, it is interesting that he, unlike the author of 1 and 2 Kings, related that Rehoboam’s wife was a descendant of David from two sides (2 Chron 11:18-19). Her father Jerimoth is otherwise unknown but here is identified as a son of David. Her mother was Abihail, daughter of David’s brother Eliab. (So Jerimoth married his cousin Abihail.)
Rehoboam’s second wife, Maacah, was a daughter of Absalom (v. 20). This may not be David’s son Absalom, however, for he apparently left no children who achieved adulthood except a daughter Tamar (cf. 2 Sam 14:27; 18:18). Moreover, Maacah’s father is otherwise named Abishalom (1 Kings 15:10) and Uriel (2 Chron 13:2).
and another commentary said:
She is called Michaiah, the daughter of Uriel, 2 Chron 13:2. For this the Targum gives the following reason: “Abijah reigned three years in Jerusalem; and his mother’s name was Michaiah, daughter of Uriel of Gibeatha. She is the same as Michah, the daughter of Absalom; but, because she was an upright woman, her name was changed into the more excellent name Michaiah, and her father’s name into that of Uriel of Gibeatha, that the name of Absalom might not be remembered.”
So you have at least 2 possible explanations for the names – I guess you can choose the one that makes the most sense to you. More importantly, I commend you for the way you’re digging into the Scripture!
Now, what would you like to ask the pastor?
In God We Trust
January 22, 2009
I can’t remember when I’ve enjoyed a series as much as this one, and I kinda hate to see it come to a close – but this Sunday at all 3 services in Tinley Park and in Shorewood we’ll look at “A Real Stimulus Package”. I think it may be the best yet, but if you haven’t heard the others, you can check them out here:
President Obama and Congress are working on a huge stimulus package to get the US economy jumpstarted, but I promise that God’s Word has the answer for your personal economy, and I can’t wait to share it Sunday!
It’s not too late to invite a friend to be your guest.
Church is also a business
January 21, 2009
This is probably one strange post after the kind of weekend we enjoyed at CLC – but the truth is, part of what makes those kinds of weekends possible is that we take care of business, too.
Every church wears several hats: we are a family that operates in love and unity; we are an army carrying out the marching orders of our Commander in Chief; and we are a corporation that operates on sound business principles and is governed according to the laws of our country and our own constitution.
This Sunday at 5pm we will gather as a corporation, to review last year’s finances and select the members of our Board of Directors and two new members of our Board of Trustees. If you’re a part of CLC, you’re invited. (Spread the word to other CLCers, since we didn’t take much time to announce this in our services.) It’s just part of being a healthy church, full of integrity, accountable to God and man – so I hope you’ll join us Sunday.
Can you hear it….“taking care of business”? That’s what we’re doing, so God can keep blessing us.
