Daydreaming

Do you like to daydream? I mean think about things that could be. I do like to daydream about places I want to visit. Janie and I fulfilled a lifelong dream of going to the Grand Canyon. It was everything I hoped it would be. Now, we are dreaming about part two…seeing the other side or the other rim. It might happen. Reality is that I enjoy dreaming about such trips. They are attainable and not that out of reach. It just takes a little planning.

Now, let’s daydream together about a mission project or an outreach opportunity. I do not have a specific one in mind…I just want to invite you to dream about one. I heard a great story of someone dreaming (and working) toward a project of providing shoes to a homeless man. It was wonderfully more involved that just handing a guy a pair of shoes. It was conversation, building a bridge of friendship, involving others. I like that a lot: a daydream that turned into a mission of mercy.

Now, here is the really fun part for me: imagine two hundred people daydreaming about how they might reach out to others, help those in need, “scratch an itch” and meet a need. It could start small… buy a pair of shoes and socks from Goodwill and make a friend.

I recently met some soon to be new friends that operate 3 recovery houses on Johns Island. One of my friends lives there now. I never knew this place existed on Johns Island. So, I start daydreaming. How could we partner with this group to do a community wide outreach effort ? I like daydreaming about fighting Goliath a gigantic challenge. What could God do? God is in the business to reach, redeem and restore a lost and broken world. We are in business to join Him. So for now, I am daydreaming on how we could join God in bringing Good News to those who are oppressed by addiction. I don’t have an answer…but I do have a daydream.

How about you? Ever had a passing thought that would lead you to reach outside of your usual comfort zone? Just spend a few moments in quiet asking the Holy Spirit to speak. See if He can help connect the dots of your daydream. I love that about JIBC. You are so willing to give, pray and go.

See you Sunday, good Lord willing,

Pastor Tom

WHEN THE STORM COMES YOUR WAY

I think that sometimes followers of Jesus believe that following Jesus means you will not experience storms in your life. The Bible actually records some interesting stories about the followers of Jesus being caught in an actual storm. Their panic is understandable. But the presence of Jesus right there in their boat resulted in the storm being calmed and their fears being relieved.

I know we have a variety of storms that come our way: emotional, financial, spiritual, relationships, health, etc. I am not sure I would want to pick which kind of storm I would prefer. I do believe all of us will find ourselves in life’s storms from time to time. Psalm 107:29 says “He calms the storm”. That is a promise I want to hold on to. I like the way the Gospel song says it: “Sometimes He calms the storm, other times He calms His child.” Either way, I am looking for and asking for calm.

Following Jesus does not mean you will be exempt from the storms of life. In fact, being a follower of Jesus may lead you into a storm or two that you would not have faced before your relationship with Christ. One person said it this way: “Remember that not all storms come to disrupt your life; some come to clear a path”. Whatever storm you may be facing my prayer for you is that it clears a path for you to get back into the presence of God our Father and our Lord Jesus Christ.

Father, please clear a path through our fear and anxiety; blow out and remove all that hinders us from trusting you even when we do not see you; bless us that we would keep our eyes on you and not the storm or our fears. We acknowledge and praise you as our Savior who is Lord over all, even the storms. Amen

See you this Sunday, good Lord willing, as we look at the story of our Lord stilling the storm in the Gospel of Mark 4:35-41.

Pastor Tom

A GOOD PLACE TO TRY IT OUT

Sometimes we may hesitate to try something because we don’t want to get “stuck”. Some cell phone deals can be like that. You sign without reading the itsy bitsy fine print. You go to change and find out you and your children are bound to the same provider for all eternity…or you could buy your way out. No one wants to experience that kind of buyer’s remorse.

So what if you could “try out” a ministry without making a lifetime commitment to it? That would be a pretty good deal. Let me tell you about a ministry that will allow you to try it out, take it for a spin so to speak, and then decide if it is for you. You could start at the easiest of positions while watching what helpers and leaders do. Sound interesting?

So, what are you doing on Wednesday evenings? God has greatly blessed the Awana Ministry at JIBC. We have over 90, count ‘em, over 90 children enrolled. That, my friend, is fantastic! It is a work of the Lord to entrust those children to us. So, how could you try an entry level position to see if you like it or not?

First, let’s get you on the “I am only trying it out list”. Marie Smith (Commander ReRe) Joanne Brown and Kat Cumberledge will give you the super powerful “get out of jail” card. Really. It’s a new thing we are trying out. JK.

The entry level position in Awana is one of the coolest positions of all…you are a LISTENER. Really, you listen to children who are trying to memorize the verse of the week. You hold the card with the verse, so you don’t actually have to memorize it. You just help the child to memorize it. They repeat it, you affirm they got it right or show them where they may have missed. Easy peasy…with one exception. Oh oh, here it comes. What is the one exception? You have to be present. We have not figured out a way to face time this ministry. It really is a ministry of presence.

So, we will sweeten the pot for you. For all “newbies” just trying and volunteering for the first, we will provide you with a free Wednesday night meal for a month! You and your family. You just have to let me know so I can make the arrangements.

Tell me when you have ever been offered a deal like that? You go from Wednesday night boredom to Wednesday night first step discipleship of the next generation. Just a thought!

See you Sunday, good Lord willing,

Pastor Tom