Previous reflections

Dear Friends,   These days our focus has been upon Michael Slaughter’s book themes, “Momentum for Life.”In order to be most effective in our service, these life- long practices need to be put into play.

The acronym: D.R.I.V.E.

                        Devotion

                        Readiness for life learning

                        Invest in Key Relationships

                        Vision for Future

                        Eat & Exercise for Longevity

As the movie “Supersize Me”  reminds, fast food may be convenient, but it’s not particularly healthy.   With the advent of TV, and Computers,  a sedentary lifestyle has caused America to be the most out of shape country in the world.   A healthy lifestyle, including eating and physical exercise, is not optional for longevity.  One can find many informative books, and internet sites  in the field of nutrition and exercise. “Self Control” (word picture: “Getting a Grip”),  is a good thing.  Are there areas in your life, which are “out of control?”  By God’s grace and Spirit, we can get a “grip.”

Yours in the Journey,  Mark

I Corinthians  9:   “Self Control:  Getting a Grip”

 Do you not know that in a race the runners all compete, but only one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may win it.

Athletes exercise self-control in all things; they do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable one.

So I do not run aimlessly, nor do I box as though beating the air;   but I punish my body and enslave it, so that after proclaiming to others I myself should not be disqualified.

Acts 24:   The Apostle Paul before the “Out of Control Governor”

 But when Felix heard these things, having more accurate knowledge of the Way, he adjourned the proceedings and said, "When Lysias the commander comes down, I will make a decision on your case."  So he commanded the centurion to keep Paul and to let him have liberty, and told him not to forbid any of his friends to provide for or visit him.  And after some days, when Felix came with his wife Drusilla, who was Jewish, he sent for Paul and heard him concerning the faith in Christ. Now as he reasoned about righteousness, self-control, and the judgment to come, Felix was afraid and answered, "Go away for now; when I have a convenient time I will call for you."

Acts 24:22-25 (NKJV)

Galatians 5: 16   (Self Control vs. Out of Control)

Live by the Spirit, I say, and do not gratify the desires of the flesh.  For what the flesh desires is opposed to the Spirit, and what the Spirit desires is opposed to the flesh; for these are opposed to each other, to prevent you from doing what you want. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not subject to the law.

Now the works of the flesh are obvious: fornication, impurity, licentiousness,  idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, anger, quarrels, dissensions, factions,   envy, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these. I am warning you, as I warned you before: those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.

By contrast, the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against such things.  And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.  If we live by the Spirit, let us also be guided by the Spirit.  Let us not become conceited, competing against one another, envying one another. 

Dear Friends,

Victor Frankl, a Jewish psychiatrist, was imprisoned in Hitler’s Auschwitz Concentration Camp.  Frankl,  theories about living with hope, meaning and purpose, were sorely tried and put to the test by his experience.  Writing a book on theory is one thing; trying to survive is another!  Years later, when lecturing to graduate students, he stated  that there was only one reason he was there.....”he saw it in his mind.”  Vision!  The wise sage told us:  "Where there is no vision, the people perish."(Proverbs 29:18).

These days, we have been following the themes of Mike Slaughter’s book, “Momentum for Life.”  To keep the “ball rolling,” we need God’s vision and dream for our future. 

George Barna defines vision this way: “vision for ministry is a clear mental image of a preferable future imparted by God to his chosen servants, and is based upon an accurate understanding of God, self, and circumstances.  (George Barna, The Power of Vision, p.28).

*What life-picture is God showing you that you would like to begin putting into action?

*What steps must you take to help design the plan?

As you read these Scriptures; 

Look how God gave the Vision, and how the people responded

Yours in the Journey,  Mark

Paul’s Missionary Journey- At the Crossroads

As they went from town to town, they delivered to them for observance the decisions that had been reached by the apostles and elders who were in Jerusalem. So the churches were strengthened in the faith and increased in numbers daily. They went through the region of Phrygia and Galatia, having been forbidden by the Holy Spirit to speak the word in Asia. When they had come opposite Mysia, they attempted to go into Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus did not allow them; so, passing by Mysia, they went down to Troas. During the night Paul had a vision: there stood a man of Macedonia pleading with him and saying, "Come over to Macedonia and help us." When he had seen the vision, we immediately tried to cross over to Macedonia, being convinced that God had called us to proclaim the good news to them.  Acts 16: 4 -10

Hebrews: “The Hall of Faith”

11:1  Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.

2  Indeed, by faith our ancestors received approval.

3  By faith we understand that the worlds were prepared by the word of God, so that what is seen was made from things that are not visible.

4  By faith Abel offered to God a more acceptable sacrifice than Cain's. Through this he received approval as righteous, God himself giving approval to his gifts; he died, but through his faith he still speaks.

5  By faith Enoch was taken so that he did not experience death; and "he was not found, because God had taken him." For it was attested before he was taken away that "he had pleased God."

6  And without faith it is impossible to please God, for whoever would approach him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.

7  By faith Noah, warned by God about events as yet unseen, respected the warning and built an ark to save his household; by this he condemned the world and became an heir to the righteousness that is in accordance with faith.

8  By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to set out for a place that he was to receive as an inheritance; and he set out, not knowing where he was going.

9  By faith he stayed for a time in the land he had been promised, as in a foreign land, living in tents, as did Isaac and Jacob, who were heirs with him of the same promise.

10  For he looked forward to the city that has foundations, whose architect and builder is God.

11  By faith he received power of procreation, even though he was too old--and Sarah herself was barren--because he considered him faithful who had promised.

12  Therefore from one person, and this one as good as dead, descendants were born, "as many as the stars of heaven and as the innumerable grains of sand by the seashore."

13  All of these died in faith without having received the promises, but from a distance they saw and greeted them. They confessed that they were strangers and foreigners on the earth,

14  for people who speak in this way make it clear that they are seeking a homeland.

15  If they had been thinking of the land that they had left behind, they would have had opportunity to return.

16  But as it is, they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God; indeed, he has prepared a city for them.

Numbers 13 God’s Call to the Promised Land

Life doesn’t happen by chance, accident or osmosis; especially the life of being a follower of Christ.

These days at St. Andrew, we are putting into practice the themes from the book, “Momentum for Life.”   (written by the United Methodist Pastor, Mike Slaughter). 

To keep Momentum, he uses the acronym: DRIVE, meaning

            Devotion (to God)

            Readiness for Life Long Learning

            Investing  in Key Relationships

            Vision

            Eating  & Exercise

The topic this week is “Investing in Key Relationships.”    There aren’t too many people who confess on their deathbed, “I wish that I spent more time at work!”     

Studies reveal that People with the fewest personal relationships were three times more likely to die than those with strong relational connections. Three times!    People with bad health habits such as smoking, poor eating habits, obesity, or alcohol use, but who had strong social ties lived significantly longer than people who had great health habits but were isolated. This caused  Pastor John Ortberg to quip, “ it is better to eat twinkies with good friends than to eat broccoli alone!”

Harvard researcher Robert Putnam notes that if you belong to no groups but decide to join one, “you cut your risk of dying over the next year in half.” (3)

We were created for relationships, with God and others. 

Think about those who have influenced you the most in life. 

What did they do to help you move forward in the grace of God?

1. Think about idea that work plus relationship = Worship.  Do you lean more toward work, or relationships.

2.  Describe the dinner table ritual in the home where you were raised

3.  When was the last crisis that caused you to realize you are not in control

Did you take any positive steps toward the people in your life at that time?

Name one person outside your immediate family whose life you are influencing toward God?

4.  Are there any action steps that God is pressing on your heart? 

Something you need to:

            say to someone

            schedule in your day

            do a relational investment?

p.  83;   Momentum for Life, Mike Slaughter,

Psalm 128: 1   Happy is everyone who fears the LORD, who walks in his ways.  2   You shall eat the fruit of the labor of your hands; you shall be happy, and it shall go well with you.  3   Your wife will be like a fruitful vine within your house; your children will be like olive shoots around your table.  4   Thus shall the man be blessed who fears the LORD.  5   The LORD bless you from Zion. May you see the prosperity of Jerusalem all the days of your life.  6   May you see your children's children. Peace be upon Israel!

Dear Friends,

As we move forward into this new year, the focus of the church will be upon Momentum for Life (the title taken from Mike Slaughter's book.)

D.R.I.V.E.

Devotion

Readiness for Life Long Learning

Investing in key relationships

Vision

Eat & Exercise

This week's theme is Devotion

Like the ancient Isrealite, we too are on a journey. the Song of Ascents recorded in Psalm 120; 121-135, speaks of the 'upward journey'.  Try employing the S.O.N. method as you reflect upon the scriptures.  S -scripture; O - observation; N - note a personal application.

Yours in the journey, Mark

Dear Friends in Christ,

To paraphrase the journalist, Hodding Carter, there are two lasting bequests we can give: one is roots, the other is wings.”   We literally stand upon the shoulders of those who have gone before us.  And now, because of your loyalty to Christ and the ministry of St. Andrew,  lives continue to be “ rooted and grounded in God’s power and grace,” which empower people to “mount up with wings as of eagles.”   

The Christian’s influence is an eternal one.  By our faithfulness and connection through the United Methodist Church, lives are being transformed not only locally in Toms River, but throughout the world.   We do far more together than we could ever do by ourselves.  For the ministry and mission of St. Andrew, we can say, “Thanks be to God who gives us the victory through Christ our Lord.”  

We are asking all friends and members of St. Andrew, from the youngest child to most elderly of saints, to make their financial vow to the Lord.   As you know, discipleship and following Christ are not a casual things.   Being a Christian occurs with continual intention, decision and commitment, with our “prayers, presence, gifts, service, and witness.”  It includes every aspect of life. 

You may request a financial commitment card at the church office standrew-umc(at)verizon.net    We ask that you pray about what God would have you do, and then bring this card as an act of commitment on Consecration Sunday, November 22, or mail it to St. Andrew UMC, 1528 Church Road, Toms River, NJ 08755.

Thank you for your continued faithfulness, and giving others “Roots and Wings” in the goodness of Christ!

Yours together in ministry, Mark S. Fieger, Pastor