Let Me Be Frank… seek the Lord

6“Seek the Lord while He may be found;
    call upon Him while He is near”
Isaiah 55:6


It’s the dawning of a new day!  It’s the beginning of a new year!  Opportunities abound and the promise of a reset fills our hearts with hope.  So, what sets this year apart from the rest?  What matters most?  Where should we start?

“Seek the Lord while He may be found.”  The Lord is not hard to find.  Ever present, He is both intensely powerful and intimately personal.  The King of Glory wants relationship with His people, but sometimes He takes a backseat to everything else in our lives.  God is still there, but we stop looking.  Other things come to try and fill the void in our hearts, but they won’t satisfy. 

When the Lord begins to fade from our thoughts what are we to do? 

  • Daily Bible reading plan via YouVersion
  • Worship playlists (I’m listening to a Jeremy Riddle album right now)
  • Prayer requests, a gratitude journal, and specific times of prayer.  (Coffee with a friend will NOT happen if you don’t schedule it.  Scheduled prayer and quiet time creates routine and routine creates consistency.)
  • Connection with others – Do you have people that really KNOW you?  Do they hold you accountable?  Do you ask for prayer, or do you try to handle it in your own?  We are NOT meant to live in isolation.  We need each other.

“Call on Him while He is near.”  This is more about Presence and less about proximity.  He is always near (proximity), but we may not always be aware of His Presence.  Life will threaten to numb our hearts to Holy Spirit.  We are overwhelmed with information situations.  Our hearts race as anxiety sets in.  There are triggers for all that, but one thing I have found to calm my spirit is take life slowly. 

In “The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry” John Mark Comer writes, “To restate – love, joy, and peace are at the heart of all Jesus is trying to grow in the soil of your life. And all three are incompatible with hurry.”

What is God trying to grow in the soil of your life?  Here are some of the things I believe He is saying to me in this season. 

Live life on purpose.  Be intentional with your time.  Be proactive, not reactive.  Think of others often.  Don’t take what you have for granted.  There will never be enough time.  Spend it wisely.

I encourage you to spend the month of January trying to answer this question…  What is God trying to grow in the soil of your life?

He is near.  May we be aware of His Presence.
Soli Deo Gloria!
F –



Something Don’d on Me! new year

Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.  Joshua 1:9

So, did you stay up to watch the “Ball Drop” in New York City?? I must confess…I did not. I preferred to ring in the new year with friends across the Pond! (Transparency: I did not GO to England or France…I just celebrated the new year when they did…about 8:00pm our time!) I’m not much of a “Night Owl” these days and Midnight just seems so far away!

I did however watch a news story on the famous gathering at Times Square in New York. Did you know that people start lining up at LEAST 24 hours before so they can have the front row when the countdown begins? And here’s a fun fact: You are not allowed to bring chairs, food, or blankets to mark out territory! That means you have to STAND up for all that time!! PLUS, you can’t bring food, so you have to have someone go get it, so you don’t lose your place…and where are the bathrooms for 250,000 people?? I’ve never really wanted to see that event…but after that news story, I have ZERO desire to go!

Why has this nonevent turned into a huge, money-making holiday? Most other holidays celebrate a reputable person, famous birthdays, document signings, or a noted event. But New Year’s Eve only celebrates the passage of time—something that most of us would rather not recognize. We make a huge deal out of it because it signals the end of an old era and the start of a new one. The old year’s problems, heartaches, and struggles seem to vanish and become a faded memory when we think of getting the chance of a new year and a new start. We make plans to head to the gym, to diet better, to read more, to fold that pile of laundry that never seems to get done!

I wonder if the Israelites had any similar feelings when they stood with Joshua looking forward to a new era ahead of them. They had wandered for 40 years in the desert, and finally they could see land flowing with milk and honey ahead. Better yet, they had God’s promise that He would never leave or forsake them. Did they make “resolutions”? They had PLENTY of problems and heartaches to leave behind…DID THEY? They had an opportunity to see the GREATNESS that was ahead of them…DID THEY?

As you stand with your back to the old year and look forward to the new one, you can have hope in the promises of God. But here’s the real question: WILL YOU? Now that the Ball has dropped, the Calendar has turned and it’s time to get on with the business of 2024, will you walk in the PROMISES of GOD?

We are starting a new season at Central with a theme: ANOTHERING! We are going to look at the “One Another” passages in the Bible (there’s 59 of them!!) and how they APPLY to the work of the Church in His Kingdom! Will you look into the “Land of Enchantment” with us and how we can see God’s Promises at Work??

Andy Stanley wrote, “The primary activity of the Church was one-anothering one another!” Let that be our mantra as we step into 2024! May we care SO MUCH for the neighbors around us that they HAVE to see God and glorify Him! May we “encourage one another daily” (Hebrews 10:24), may we “Carry each other’s burdens” (Galatians 6:2), may we “Live in harmony with one another” (I Peter 3:8), and may we truly “love one another” (I John 3:11)!

And may 2024 bring us a great awareness of EACH OTHER and how powerful the work of “Anothering” can be! “The Lord our God will be with us wherever we go!” (Joshua 1:9)

May Peace Be Upon Your Home and Your Heart in 2024 – Shalom Alachiem



Something Don’d on Me! examine words

“Now these Jews from Berea were more noble than those in Thessalonica; they received the word with all eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so.” Acts 17:11

Big kudos to Alex Juarez who caught my TYPO in the Sunday Sheet this week! Apparently, I was in a big hurry to send it in to Candace and my fat fingers made a mistake…have you caught it yet? Go turn to the Scriptures and tell me what you see! (Hint: Paul’s letter to the Church in Rome was NOT that long!) Yep…that was supposed to be Romans 12:4-5!

I know it’s not really a big deal…I wasn’t trying to re-write Scripture or teach a “New Gospel”…I just made a typing error. But I’ve pondered about it for a couple of days now. Alex practiced an ancient tradition that the Bereans were COMMENDED for doing: EXAMINING THE WORDS! We often say we are a “Bible Believing and Bible USING” Church…we want our Bibles OPEN and looking at what the writers said in context so that we can follow the Teachings of Jesus as completely and correctly as possible. DON’T TAKE MY WORD FOR IT…we ALL need to look and make our understanding complete!
Thank you for practicing grace to me because Almighty God knows that I do NOT know it all! We really are learning TOGETHER!!

As we continue to dive into this word and theme for our year: ANOTHERING, I’m challenged at how MUCH we need to be “People of the Word” (Last year’s theme) and how we need to show that GRACE to others! Charles Spurgeon was once having a tough day-he said he came home discouraged, weary & depressed…when a verse flashed in his mind: “My Grace is sufficient for thee!” (2 Cor. 12:8) He said he started laughing and said out loud, “Of COURSE, it IS sufficient for me!” He went on to share this: “His Grace is so strong that it shall never run out! It was as though some little fish, being very thirsty, was troubled about drinking the river dry, and the Father of the River said; “Drink away, little fish, my stream is sufficient for you!” Or as if a little mouse in the granaries of Egypt, after 7 years of plenty, feared he would eat it all up, and Joseph came in to say, “Cheer up, little mouse-my granaries are sufficient for you!”

Part of ANOTHERING is going to be diving DEEP into the GRACE that Yahweh gives to us! And because that VAST OCEAN OF GRACE has been opened to you and me…then we need to SHARE that grace with one another!We are going to look at another passage this week: “Carry one another’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the Law of Christ.” (Gal. 6:2) SPOILER ALERT…it’s not as easy as just “saying” I care…it’s being Jesus to someone! Even KidZone will be looking at “Carrying each other” this week…and Kidzone will be in action on SATURDAY AND SUNDAY!

THERE’S A PLACE FOR YOU HERE AT CENTRAL! Maybe you are here every week…maybe you haven’t been in a while-doesn’t matter, you are WELCOME and WANTED here! And you are valuable to God! May we look to Jesus as the one that perfects our faith, and may we link arms with one another as this new year continues!

God Bless You All- May HIS PEACE Be Upon Your Home and Heart!
(And keep your Bible and your Sunday Sheet OPEN!)
Don



Let Me Be Frank – anothering

24 Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works.
Hebrews 10:24

 
“I’m with you.”  No matter where we end up, no matter what comes next, I’m with you.  How comforting would that be to hear?  To know, beyond the shadow of a doubt, that you will not have to face today (or tomorrow) alone.
 
There are two sides to anothering.  One side is serving others.  No longer on the sidelines, we are called to volunteer, to encourage, to make meals, to ring bells, to work KidZone, and to use our talents and gifts to benefit the Body and glorify God in the process.  Serving is essential for anothering.
 
Side two is the journey.  Think of the term “doing life” with one another.  The Early Christians were an excellent example of this.  Sharing what they had, eating meals together, text threads… wait, how did that get in there?  You get the idea.
 
“I’m with you” is a great way to think of “doing life” with someone.  Where you go, I’ll go.  Need to talk?  I’m here.  Power tools?  I’ve got them.  Why are you upset?  Sit down and tell me.
 
I pray you are challenged by this series and the choices you make that bring you closer to or further away from others.  I pray that God will send someone to speak into your life in a powerful way, whether by example, relationship, or words.  I pray that Holy Spirit will move in your heart and illuminate opportunities for connection.
 
I worked with Alan Dodd for several years at PJHS.  I reconnected with him while Marea and I were at Victory Life.  I had the honor of playing at his wife’s funeral last year.  He was there with his newsie cap and bright smile, but there was a line of people that wanted to talk to him.  I left after playing… and had the honor of playing at his funeral this past Saturday.
 
I should have made time to see him that day.  If I knew he would pass a couple months later, I would have.  As humans we don’t have that luxury.  Anothering is more that getting in the game, it’s listening.  Who is Holy Spirit telling you to reach out to?  Haven’t heard from _________ in a while?  They haven’t heard from you either.  Send a text.
 
The old me would internalize guilt and wish for yesterday.  Nowadays, I’m trying something new.  I prayed for his family as I played piano.  I played all his favorite hymns, not as an attempt to make amends, but as a way to honor his well-lived life.  Life is too short for condemnation.
 
God is with you.  He is for you in every way imaginable.  He wants you to get where He wants you to go MORE than you want to get where He wants you to go!  How can you another?  What is God saying to you today?  Are you listening?  Every day is an opportunity and we’re in this together!
 
May we be aware of His Presence.
Soli Deo Gloria!
F –



Let Me Be Frank… wait on the Lord

14 Wait for the LORD; be strong, and let your heart take courage;
wait for the LORD!
Psalm 27:14

 
Does it take courage to manage this holiday season?  After all, the holidays can be difficult.  Trying to manage relationships.  Wishing there were more time.  An empty chair where a beloved member of the family sat.  Putting up ornaments as almost empty nesters.  Hoping your kids call and talk for just a little while.
 
When we think of courage, we may think of burning buildings, skydiving, or beating cancer.  “They are courageous… I don’t think I could do what they did.  I’m not that brave.”
 
In his book David and Goliath, Malcom Gladwell writes, “Courage is not something that you already have that makes you brave when the tough times start. Courage is what you earn when you’ve been through the tough times, and you discover they aren’t so tough after all.” 
 
I love the quote, but I want to add Jesus to it :0).  In The Voyage of the Dawn Treader, the crew is terrified as the Darkness looms.  Their ship moves closer and closer, and fear overtakes them.  Lucy hears the voice of Aslan.  He says, “Courage, dear heart” and that’s all she needed to hear.
 
Courage is what you earn when you go through hard times and come out the other side.  It’s built in the waiting.  The Hebrew word for wait is qāvâ.  It means to hope for, but it also means to bind together – like a rope.  As the rope twists and stretches, there is tension in the line.  This tension brings us to courage.  Waiting in the Lord and continuing to be faithful in the journey takes courage.  Praying in the darkness and waiting for an answer takes courage.  Finding joy in the little things while missing a huge part of your life takes courage.
 
Courage is what you earn, but when we wait for the Lord it’s God-given.  What we thought would destroy us, only strengthened our faith in Him.
 
So many years ago, Jesus was born.  Emmanuel – God with us.  Before He died and was resurrected, He told His buddies, “Nevertheless, I tell you the truth: it is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you. But if I go, I will send him to you.” (John 16:7)
 
Are you broken?  Take courage.  Are you overwhelmed?  Take courage.  Do you feel like you can’t go on?  Take courage. 
 
“Courage, dear heart.”  I pray those words ring in your soul this Christmas.  I pray that, in the waiting, you meet Holy Spirit in a powerful and illuminating way.  Emmanuel – God with us.  Wait on the Lord today and be strengthened in hope…  He is faithful. 
 
Soli Deo Gloria!
F –



Something Don’d on Me! truth

“Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind,” and “Love your neighbor as yourself” (Matt. 22:37, 39)  

Truth-in our society… that’s a loaded word! Culture has screamed out “My truth is better than YOUR truth! What’s true for me may or may not be true for you! It doesn’t matter…just be a good person!” Since Genesis 3, our enemy has twisted and corrupted God’s Word. He repackages it in a way that “sounds religious” but is-in essence-lies. And we know that because he is called the “Father of Lies”. Our TRUTH should be and MUST be anchored to God’s Word and HIS TRUTH!

But that’s hard when we are bombarded with information and images at a breakneck speed! It seems to come at us faster and faster…and makes it harder and harder to stay attached to HIS TRUTH! That’s why our focus here at Central all throughout this year has been “People of the Word!” From “What Jesus Said” to “Jesus Didn’t Say That” to “The Tabernacle” to “Choose Your King” to “This is the Way”…we’ve been trying to see that the Bible speaks ONE TRUTH: God’s Love for His People and that our HOPE is only found in HIM! As we see the finish line of 2023, I’m asking you to CONTINUE with us in this quest for Truth!

People of the Word know that we are being CHANGED DAILY to look more like HIM! Our affections have changed! Our priorities have changed! And if they HAVEN’T…then maybe we aren’t really being “People of the Word!”We talk a lot about L1 & L2 here: “Love God FIRST” and “Love Others SECOND”-and we will CONTINUE to talk about those 2 laws and how they impact us each day! THAT is TRUTH that we can hang on to and show out in our walk in this world each day!

In the face of cultural pressure to deny “truth” and just “go with the flow” or “be a good person”, we believe it is CRUCIALLY IMPORTANT to stand firm on HIS TRUTH in the face of these deceptions! It’s more than “God wants you rich and happy” or “God wants this political agenda”-it’s God wants hearts that are CHANGED so that they truly LOVE HIM FIRST and LOVE OTHERS compassionately and with fervor!

Let’s finish 2023 STRONG and focused on HIS TRUTH! Let’s live out L1 & L2 by loving people in our town, our coworkers, our family, our teachers, and those that are struggling with HIS TRUTH and HIS LOVE! And may we ALL be “People of HIS WORD!”

Shalom Alachiem, Don



Let Me Be Frank… members only

21 And the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ 22 But the father said to his servants, ‘Bring quickly the best robe, and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet.
Luke 15:21-22


If you wanted to be cool in the 1980’s you had a Members Only Jacket.  That being said, I did not own one at the time.  I was eighty pounds soaking wet in 1990 with feathered hair and a sports-band holding my coke bottle glasses on.  You can gather from the description that I didn’t get an invite.  I completely understood why.

A few years ago I was shopping and came across a navy blue Members Only Jacket.  It wasn’t as expensive as I thought it was and I bought it immediately.  I’d like to think this makes me cool, only time will tell.

The beautiful thing about Members Only is the fact that it wasn’t members only.  Anyone could be in the club.  Granted, they had to buy the jacket, but once they did, they were in.

Brandon Lake has a new song called, “Coat of Many Colors.”  You can listen to it here.  I love the chorus.

Red was the blood that saved me
White was the light that pulled me from the dark
Gold was the crown You placed upon my head
That showed me who You are
With mercy and grace
I’ve been embraced like no other
I gave You my heart
You gave me a coat of many colors

In the story of the Prodigal Son the father waits by the window day after day.  When he sees his son come into view, he sprints to him.  Don’t miss what he does next.  He places a robe (coat) on his son, a ring on his finger, and shoes on his feet.  The son came back wanting to be accepted as a servant.  The clothing the Father gives him indicates he is restored.
Are you tired and heavy laden?  Are you weary and left wondering if our Lord would even take you back?  Are your clothes tattered and torn through the trials of this life?  Don’t wait another day.  Come back.  He’s been waiting this whole time.

“With mercy and grace I’ve been embraced like no other.  I gave You my heart,

You gave me a coat of many colors.”

Soli Deo Gloria!
F –



Something Don’d on Me… believe

Hebrews 1:3 – “The Son radiates God’s own glory and expresses the very character of God, and He sustains everything by the mighty power of His command. When He had cleansed us from our sins, He sat down in the place of honor at the right hand of the majestic God in Heaven.”

In all my sorrows, Jesus is Better…Make my heart believe!
In every victory, Jesus is Better…Make my heart believe!
More than all riches…more than all comfort…Our souls declaring…Our song eternal:

JESUS IS BETTER!

The lyrics to the bridge of this song by Austin Stone Music called “Jesus is Better” that our Praise Team sang last week just ring and resonate in my ear! But I want you to see the power of the phrasing!

In all my sorrows…I would be willing to bet that most everyone reading this has had their share of heart aches and bad days. The songwriter is trying to remind us that even though it looks grim right now, Jesus is BIGGER and BETTER than whatever bad season you are going through! But note the next stanza:

In every VICTORY…we need to be reminded (and reminded OFTEN!) that even on the BEST DAY WE’VE EVER HAD…we still do not DESERVE heaven! We still do not EARN grace! We are not great…even on our GREATEST days! I would also be willing to bet that there have been days that we have looked at what we’ve accomplished and whispered to ourselves, “See! I really AM that great!” And the evidence would not support that hypothesis! Even our BEST EFFORT is not enough!

But maybe the most poignant line in that song is at the end of each of those lines: MAKE MY HEART BELIEVE! Much like the father of that demon-possessed boy in Mark 9, when he cried out to Jesus, “I believe! Help my Unbelief!!” He KNEW the power that Jesus had…just like we do! And he had SOME belief…just like we do! But he wanted MORE…and we need that, too!

We need to repeat it to our hearts…pound it into our skulls, that Jesus IS better!! We need that deep in the core of our being that He is FOR US and not against us! It needs to be our SONG ETERNAL…it needs to come from a declaration deep in our soul … that JESUS IS BETTER! But too often, we sing the song, and quickly revert to our fears and insecurities and bitterness and doubt! We need to KEEP singing it and keep repeating it and keep calling out to Him to make our hearts BELIEVE and TRUST Him more!

When we BELIEVE His Promises are TRUE, we can make it through when the circumstances of our world seem to go badly! Maybe you only see the heartbreak right now…maybe you continue to feel lonely…maybe the anxiety overwhelms you…maybe the “to do” list reminds you of all that YOU cannot seem to get done. Remind your soul of His Great Promise: YOU ARE NOT ALONE! His great power has cleansed you from sin and gives you hope! You may not FEEL hopeful right now…THIS IS THE TIME to remind yourself of Him!! MAKE MY HEART BELIEVE!!

Thank you, Jehovah Jireh, for being my Provider, my Comforter, and my Friend! Remind my soul of all you have done for me and that even on my BEST day, I’m not worthy of your love! I’m just thankful for it! You have my adoration, and you give me HOPE! In the name of Jesus I pray, Amen

Shalom Alachiem, Don



Let Me Be Frank… code

105 Your Word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.
Psalm 119:105

 
We are finishing up our sermon series, EMMAUS CODE and that has me thinking about ciphers (which is just a really fancy word for codes).  Here are a couple of my favorites.
 
A1Z26 – This code is pretty easy to crack.  A = 1, Z = 26, and each letter in the alphabet has a number. 
19-5-5, 9 20-15-12-4 25-15-21 9-20 23-1-19 5-1-19-25.
 
Atbash – This code uses the alphabet only.  You just line up two alphabets (one forward and one backward) and then encode your message.
SZIWVI GL URTFIV LFG, ULI HFIV.
 
There’s also morse code, phone code, a grid cipher, and a pigpen cipher (shown above).  All of this is intriguing, but is there a way to crack the code?  There is, but you need to know how someone encoded the message to decode the message.  In other words, you need to know the writer.
 
We’ll never know God’s heart if we don’t read His words.  We’ll never know God’s peace if we don’t trust His strength.  Trust equals faithfulness over time.  The more we read, the more we know.  The more we know, the more we trust.  The more we trust, the more we surrender. 
 
There are things in this life that we may never understand.  There are parts of God’s mercy and forgiveness that still blow my mind.  The Bible is a lens that helps us see the world accurately.  The Bible is a lens that helps us see ourselves accurately.  His Word is a lamp that lights our way to Him.  I love that this verse highlights WHERE the light hits.  Not in front of us to see what’s coming, but at our feet so we can take the next sure step.
 
I know Marea.  My wife is for me in every way.  I know her heart, I know her smile, I know when she’s hurting… I know her because I have spent so much time with her.  The more time I spend with God (in prayer and reading the Bible), the more I learn about His grace, forgiveness, and love.  I could spend a lifetime getting to know Him, but I’ll start here.
 
ILSB DLA, ILSB LQEBOP
 
This weekend we’ll look at the story of Joseph.  I have been struck by the consistency and steadiness of his heart throughout turmoil and struggle.  He knew what God promised long ago, but God’s not on our timetable.  He didn’t get restless, he didn’t question, he just continued to trust the Lord.  Why?  Because God is faithful.  Trust over time equals faithfulness and I pray that He continues to light your path.
 
Soli Deo Gloria!
F –



Something Don’d on Me… pain

“Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere.” Ephesians 6:18

How do YOU deal with PAIN? Joseph Scriven was born September 10, 1819, in Ireland. He was enrolled in Trinity College in Dublin and was graduating. As he was in school, he fell in love with a young lady, and they were excited to start their life together. But on the day before their wedding, she was thrown from a horse while crossing a bridge, and she drowned in front of him.

The sorrow he felt was great, and it caused him to wander from town to town. By age 25 his travels had taken him to an area near Port Hope, Canada. He became highly regarded by the people of that area. He tutored some of the local children in their schoolwork. It was there he met a wonderful young lady, Elisa Roche, and again fell in love. They had exciting plans to be married. However, tragedy reared its ugly head once again and she died of pneumonia before they could wed.

Joseph spent the rest of his life in Port Hope, Canada and was often known to serve people that had no money. In his times of grief, he started writing in a journal. He wrote the words to what we know as this beloved hymn, in hopes that it would bring some comfort to his mother. He even wrote in his journal that these words were “twixt the Lord and I-we did it together.” An attorney named Charles Converse, later added the melody…a simple song that still touches lives today.

How could he do that? How could he write that third line? “Oh what PEACE we often forfeit…” In the face of his pain, he found his peace not in a bottle or in this world, but in a TRUST with a God that sees all of our pain! He DIDN’T let the pain of his situation take away the PEACE of his broken heart!

What are you facing? Are you dealing with TRIALS…or TEMPTATIONS…is there “trouble anywhere” in your life? Maybe God is whispering to you right now… “Take it to ME in prayer!” Let GOD carry the burden that you are carrying…just as Scrivner let God carry his incredible grief.

Perhaps, one of the greatest acts of WORSHIP, is obedience in the MIDST of your pain. May you celebrate HIM instead of focusing on your hurts.

May the God that carries the universe on His shoulder, carry the struggle you are dealing with today!

Shalom Alachiem…Don