It is not often that you can draw deep theological insights out of the chaotic and jumbled world of kid’s television, but last night as I was watching a program with my son, I heard a statement that highlighted God’s role in this world and man’s role in this world. It was not the connection that the authors or producers of the program were trying to make, but it was to this glimpse of the Holy I was taken.

In the show, the leading character was required to perform the “Bird Scene.” When she passed the “Bird Scene” she would be allowed to audition for parts in the school’s various theater productions. The first time she completed the scene she looked to the teacher for comment and feed back and approval. He told her she had failed the scene and needed to try again. The next time she brought in props, redid the scene and looked again to the teacher for affirmation of the quality of her work. Again, she was notified that she failed. The third time she did the scene she went all out, she had costumes, backdrops, and even a trained Cockatoo that flew in on cue. This time as she completed the scene she looked to the teacher and seeing no response she got mad. She said something about how she liked the work she had done even if no one else had. It was then that the teacher told her that she had passed the test. He told her that the real test of any artist was to be pleased and satisfied by your work even if no one else likes it.

I want to draw your attention to the simple reality that we are the creation and He is the creator. It is not our position to determine whether what God has done is good or not- that is choice as the creator. Look very closely at the first chapter of Genesis. Notice at the end of each day of creation a very simple little statement, “. . .and God saw that it was good.” In the simplest of terms God was pleased with his work- it was good! Even the most hard-hearted of us must recognize the magnificent beauty in the creation and when we stand stare at the mountains, rivers, forests and plains of this planet we do agree it is beautiful and it is good.

Isaiah drives this point home a little deeper, “But now O Lord, Your are our Father, we are the clay, and your our potter; and all of us are the work of your hands (Is.64:8).” Again, do you see the connection between God and the artist? We are His creation, formed and fashioned by his hands it is God that must be pleased with the work and proclaim it as good, not us.

This leads me to our study through the book of Ecclesiastes. We have already acknowledged that the writer admits that when we are pursuing our own purposes for life we will find them empty and unsatisfying but that we will find fulfillment and satisfaction in following God’s purposes for our lives. But are you content to believe that God’s purposes for your life are good? Are you content to embrace that he believes that they are good and therefore rest in His good work? Or do you believe that God’s creation and purposes would be better with a little tweaking from you here or there?

Imagine a child with a black magic marker walking through the great art museums of the world. While that child might get lucky and do something that doesn’t wreck the great masterpieces, they will at best mar them and at worst vandalize them. No one wants to see the magic marker over the top of the work of the masters. (Think Adam and Eve and sin here). Why then do we believe that we can come up with a purpose for our lives that is more fulfilling and satisfying than the one that God, as creator, has already deemed best for us? Why do we seek to mar and to vandalize a work that God had already deemed good? After all, if God is good and the works of His hands are good, then the plans and purposes He has for us will result in good because in truth its about Him and not about us.

Gather and Go,

Pastor Dale

In the six years I have served here at River of Life, we have seen God do some amazing things. We’ve had to make some difficult decisions about ministry and we have had to recover from some very traumatic events as a body. During these six years finances have always dogged us. We have had enough to survive and God has provided in many different ways. When we wanted to buy new chairs for the worship center we were able to raise the money to cover that purchase within a matter of months. When we needed to adjust our budget, we were able to raise the money we needed to continue to support the missionaries that we had committed to that year. However, there are major maintenance and repair issues that we can no longer put off if we are to remain in this facility. That is why the ministry leadership, myself, the Deacon Board and Denise Garcia have all agreed that we need to start a Capital Fund Drive. We need to raise 300,000 dollars by January 2012 above and beyond what we receive through tithes and offerings and current tuition payments.

Here are some of the urgent projects that we need to accomplish by that date:

• Complete the fire alarm system
• New Air Conditioners for the Main building and the office and classroom building
• New Parking Lot
• Replace the walkway upstairs in the back of the building
• Roof for the office and classroom building
• Demolition and remodeling of the old fellowship hall
• A New sign
• Paint the buildings
• Pay off $175,000 loan

As I stated earlier, some of these things are urgent and can wait no longer and we cannot wait until the $300,000 dollars has been raised to accomplish these tasks. The ministry leadership team will be meeting to set the priorities for these projects. We will be seeking to accomplish the most critical of these projects as soon as possible- that means when the money for a project is available we will begin the work on that project.

I know that times are tough for all or us, but I would challenge you to pray and see what God would have you give toward the Capital Fund Drive. Let me make sure that I am clear. What you give should be above and beyond your tithe, your tuition or any other regular contributions that you make to the ministries of River of Life Baptist Church. Therefore, please pray about giving a monthly gift to the capital fund drive for the next three years. Pray about a one-time donation to the fund drive. Give whatever God leads you to give and we will trust Him to multiply your generosity.

Gather and Go,

Pastor Dale

There is old adage called the KISS principle- Keep It Simple. It means that the simpler we can keep things the more likely people are to get the idea or concept that we are trying to communicate. I have been struggling with the tensions between this principle of communication and perpetration and planning for our Christmas Eve Service here at River of Life. I have combed through hours of INTERNET pages doing research trying to find that special something to make our Christmas Eve service bigger and better than last years. I have been working within the framework of the limitations of our finances and really creating nothing but a tense ball of frustration in my own mind and soul. As I was praying over this a few weeks ago God brought to my mind the story of the origins of the Hymn "Silent Night." It dawned on me that we find ourselves in that same situation-things beyond our control are hampering our abilities to do things the way we want to do them but Christmas isn't about doing things the way we want to do them, it's about doing things the way that God wants to do them.

Be honest, if it were left to us we would not have chosen to send the King of the Universe into a stable in an out-of the-way town, in the remote part of a small and obscure nation under the occupation of the worlds super power. No, most of us would have planned some majestic entrance into the world's seats of power. We would not have chosen lowly shepherds to proclaim his arrival. We would have trumpeted his coming with big banners and announcements in the press and perhaps a spot or press conference on prime time TV. We certainly would not have left the transmission of his message to a group of men who made mistakes and did fully comprehend the message that their leader was proclaiming until after he had completed his mission. But God's ways are not our ways. He kept the whole thing fairly simple.

If I have my facts right, the whole concept of Christmas started out very simply. First, the frist Christmas was designed by God in the simplest terms to provide a simple way of restoring the broken relationship between God and man. Even the origins of many of our favorite Christmas ideas were originally must simpler and even though many of them have their roots in pagan celebrations, even after they had been Christianized, they were much simpler. Consider the origins of Santa Claus or the Christmas tree. Santa finds his origins in the legends of the Bishop of Myra who was by all accounts a shy and humble man who wanted to give money to the poor. Legend has it that he was so shy that he dropped a money bag down the chimney- see the way something so simple has evolved into something so complex. Originally Christmas trees were decorated with cookies and candys that had been purchased at Christmas markets. Latter the trees began to receive homemade ornaments made of paper and household items. However, even before that, living pine trees were brought into the house to remind the people that they would soon have green crops growing in the field. Again, see the way we have taken something that had at one time been so simple and made it more complex?

Here's the point. Christmas has become so complicated, so busy that the simplicity of the true meaning of the day has been lost. While we can complain about the commercialism of Christmas and the hustle and bustle associated with it, even Christians need to be weary of complicating something that is really very simple. Christmas is not about grand church services, cantatas or children's programs and pageants. Christmas is the celebration of the simple. It is a celebration of humility. It is the celebration that Christ "made himself of no reputation, taking on the form of a bond servant  and coming in the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross." (Phil. 2:7-8). Christmas is about relationship. It is about man's relationship with God who through Christ was reconciling the world to himself. While big services, cantatas and children's programs can be acts of worship, they can also become one more thing that makes a simple thing more complex and in the complexity of Christmas we can lose the simple truth.

I received an e-mail newsletter this week from Allen Hunt. Allen is a radio host with his own syndicated radio program called "The Allen Hunt Show." I listen to Allen on a local radio station and like most of what he says. I don't agree with everything he says, but even when I disagree, I respect his logic behind what he says. Today I got this e-newsletter, and realized that he understands the heart beat of our church and part of the vision for ministry here at River of Life so I thought I'd share this with you in hopes that it will encourage you to Gather and Go!

"With unemployment having reached double digits this week, I delighted to learn about Leslie and Brian Mulcahy, who run Rabbit Hill Inn in Vermont. Each month they give away a free two night stay to someone who has been unemployed for more than 6 months. The Pink Slip Giveaway Getaway offers a small bit of grace to people who are struggling to figure out what lies ahead. Leslie says, "In our 16 years of inn-keeping, this has been the most satisfying effort we have ever done." Well done!

Now that about 1 in 6 of the people around you are looking for any or more work, what might you do today to offer a little grace to one of them? An invitation to lunch - your treat? A simple phone call to offer to help? An anonymous gift certificate from you to them to the grocery store to help provide basic supplies?

A down time offers lots of opportunities for you to live your faith. Live generously and live well!

Grace and Peace,
Allen"

In our current economic situation it doesn't take much to be the hands and feet of Jesus in the life of your neighbors. The issue is are you willing to be on the lookout for people who are in need and whom you have the opportunity to help? Francis of Assi said it this way- I will preach the gospel to everyone and, if necessary, I will use words. There are a lot of people in the world who have become jaded to the message of the church because we have not earned the right to share the truth of Christ with them. In fact, there are many times that the words we have spoke fall on ears that have become deaf due to our actions. The Apostle John said it this way;"My little children, lets not love in word or tongue, but in deed and truth." (1 John 3:18). Allen gives a few ideas how we might do this during this time of wide spread unemployment.

Gather and Go,

Pastor Dale

It's fall here in Arizona and that means that the temperature is finally dropping below the century mark. It also means that we are making preparations for many of our fall activities here around the church. We have the Hot Dog Host and Roast coming up here on October 31. We want to encourage you take use the events of the culture around you to build bridges into the community in which you live and the Hot Dog Host and Roast is one way for you to do that. Several of our families have been doing this for a couple of years and it has opened doors for them to minister to their friends and neighbors and to share with them the Gospel of Jesus Christ. It really is a simple activity. Bring your outdoor grill around to the front of your house and start cooking hot dogs as people are taking their kids out trick or treating. Pass out hot dogs as well as candy to those people who come around the house. If you provide a place for people to sit and relax for a while, they will sit and talk and you have a great opportunity to meet and talk with your neighbors. However, one of the questions that always gets asked is, "Why are you doing this?" There is a simple response that often opens doors for deeper spiritual conversations and that is to simply tell people that "the love of Christ compels us." We even have napkins here at the church with that statement printed on them so that people will remember what you have said, or will know without even asking. I know that last year I heard several people in one neighborhood tell the host that they had been looking forward to getting a hot dog at his house all evening and that this stop was the highlight of the night. Scripture tells is not to ". . . love in word or in tongue, but also in deed and truth" (1 John 3:18). This is one of those opportunities for you to do that and possibly have the opportunity to share a deeper message of Christ with a neighbor.

We also have our annual GLOW festival coming up on November 1, 2009. (I know, two very busy nights back to back). Each year we, through this community carnival, ministry to the neighborhood around the church. Last year we had an exceptional puppet team present two shows with a clear gospel presentation and we had several people pray with the puppet team to receive Christ. This year one of the booths at the carnival will the the CEF Gospel Caboose where people can come and hear the Gospel and respond to an invitation to receive Christ as their Savior. We are very excited by the increasing community support to help us promote this carnival. Again, this is one of those opportunities we have to use the cultural events of our community to open doors to communicate our love for this community and to share with them our love for Jesus Christ. This year things have been difficult and the finances for this ministry are scarce, but God has opened several doors for us making it possible to continue this event. We look forward to seeing what God is going to do to touch lives through this event. GLOW Festival is one way we can follow the Lord's command to Go and make disciples and to be His witnesses here in our Jerusalem.

Finally, this year we are working with a community organization to distribute Thanksgiving Food Baskets and Christmas Boxes to families who live right here in the neighborhood around the church. In the past we have collected food and done Christmas boxes that have been sent to needy people in other parts of the country or the world, but this year we have the opportunity to build bridges into the lives of families right here in our own neighborhood. I know that times might be financial hard right now, but I know our God is big enough to supply the needs for the ministry He has called us to do here in Southeast Tucson. Be praying for the "stuff" we need to do this ministry and the hearts of the families that will receive the blessing of this ministry. Pray that their hearts would be open to hear the Gospel and the the seed of truth that we plant along with the food and "stuff" will put down deep roots and bring forth the fruit of Salvation.

Regardless of what ministry you are participating in this fall, pray that Jesus Christ would be exalted and God would be glorified in our lives as individuals, as a church and in our community.

Gather and Go,

Pastor Dale

I want to begin this blog by stating again that I am grateful that God has sovereignly placed me in the United States where I enjoy the rights guaranteed by our founding documents. I am glad that I have the right to free speech, religion and privacy. I am glad that I have the right to lawful assembly and the right to vote. I have said it before and I will say it again, these rights are blessings and we should cherish them. However, I am also a citizen of heaven and as a result of that citizenship there are other standards to which I have been called and sometimes those heavenly obligations come in conflict with my rights.

Let's be honest, my rights are about- well, me. When I exercise my rights, more often than not. I exercise them for my benefit. But the standards of the Kingdom of God are different. Those standards are not about me at all. They are first and foremost about God and how He expects those who are part of His kingdom to live. Take a moment and look at the Sermon on the Mount in Matthew 5-7. We know these passages in passing very well. Turn the other cheek. Go the extra mile. Love your enemies. The stark reality of the Kingdom of Heaven that it is often more about giving up what I have as a right as an expression of my love for God and for my fellow man than it is getting what I want out of something. As you read through the Sermon on the Mount you will again discover that the standards of the Kingdom of God are not the standards of this world. They are not about my happiness (though the beatitudes do show us how to achieve true happiness) they are about living my life in submission to the standards God sets as appropriate and acceptable behavior. Look real hard at the way Jesus speaks about murder, adultery and divorce. These three issues make it very clear that God's standards are not about me, but about Him and others.

Even Jesus calls us to love our brothers and sisters in Christ in the same way that He loved us; in demonstration and sacrifice (John 15:12-13). The Apostle Paul adds to this understanding of  by giving us a clear picture of how Christ demonstrated His love toward us in Romans 8: While we were still sinners Christ died for us. he loved us even when we were unlovable. If that isn't clear enough look at what Paul's says in Philippians 2:5-8. Jesus gave up his rights as God for our benefit. He made himself of know reputation, became a bond servant and humbled himself in obedience to the the point of death, a death on the cross. I know many of you may be say that that is all well and good for Jesus but that's not for me. Well let me challenge you again to look more closely at verse five in that passage. Paul says that we should have this same mind. In other words we should think like Jesus thinks and live, therefore, like Jesus lives.

As a citizen of this country, I have the right to live any way I want, whether my neighbor agrees with me or not. As a citizen of heaven, I do not have that right. I must live in obedience to the laws established by the king of Heaven.

As a citizen of this country, I have a right to have a say in the laws of the land. (For you purists out there I know we live in a representative democracy and we could debate that last statement, but it is what we are led to believe). As a citizen of Heaven, I am not given a voice in what is right and what is wrong. That is the domain of the King of Heaven and I am not he. I am called to live in submission to the King. Since I came into the Kingdom of Heaven by acknowledging that my ways were in opposition to the King of Heaven and that I have been living in rebellion against His edicts and laws it should seem simple for me to acknowledge now that His ways to true, pure and perfect and therefore, I should willingly yielding my views of right and wrong to His and trust Him for what is true and good.

As a citizen of this country, I have the right to spend my money any way I want. As a citizen of Heaven, I know that the King of Heaven has a soft spot in His heart for widows and orphans, the poor and the oppressed. In fact Paul warned Timothy to remind those who are rich in this world to do good, that they be rich in good works ready to give, willing to share, storing up for themselves a good foundation for the time to come, that they may lay hold of eternal life (1 Tim.6:18,19) Notice that even in this passage the issue is our citizenship and where we are laying up our treasures. I also want to acknowledge here that there isn't anything wrong with having money in this world- it's what we do with it as citizens of Heaven.

I could go on and on giving examples where my rights as a citizen of this country can conflict with my citizenship in heaven but the question isn't if there are conflicts, it is to whom do I surrender when there are conflicts: My rights or My King?

Gather and Go

Pastor Dale

I just want to remind you that I am posting what I am reading to encourage you to read and to study scripture. Books about scripture are encouraging and informative, but the best place you can go to grow spiritually is to the Bible itself. I hope that if you choose to read one of the books that I post you will not to so at the expense of your own time in the Word.

What I am reading this week: Putting Amazing Back Into Grace by Michael Horton

I am also working my way through Nature's Destiny by Michael Denton.

I also hope to begin reading The Crimson Tapestry by Michael Joens by the end of the week

I am an American and as a result I live with “certain unalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.” However, I am also a citizen of the Kingdom of God and that means that I live by a certain set of morals, standards and laws that are established by God. I am grateful that God has given me the blessing of living in a nation in which I can participate in government and have a voice in the day-to-day affairs that affect my life. I am grateful that I live in a land where “all men are created equal” and I have rights guaranteed to me by the Constitution of the United States. As a citizen of the United States I have a great deal to be thankful for. As an Ambassador of the Kingdom of God I have even more for which I am thankful.

First, Paul writes in the book of Colossians that “. . . He rescued us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son.” (Col.1:13). When God rescues an individual from the dominion of darkness, he doesn’t just leave them to wonder about aimlessly without direction or to return to their old ways, but he places them in the Kingdom of His Son so that they have a home, are cared for and are loved. Let me illustrate this with an example: When someone rescues a dog from an animal shelter they do not just turn around an put the dog back on the streets to be collected again and returned to the shelter. No people go to the shelters to select a dog that they will remove from the shelter and the consequences of the shelter to take home where they will be cared for and loved. Like unadopted dogs left in the domain of the shelter, those who are left in the domain of darkness face certain death, but like the dog rescued from the shelter, those placed in the Kingdom of God have a home where they are loved and cared for by the King Himself.

Second, Paul also wrote that we were rescued from the domain of darkness “. . . Although you were formerly alienated and hostile in mind and engaged in evil deeds” (Col. 1:21). Again, using the example of a dog in a shelter, what Paul is saying is that, I (we), was (were) not the cute and cuddly puppy that everyone wants to take home from the shelter- but that I (we) was (were) the mean, snarling, snapping dog who held my (our) rescuer at bay unaware that it was just such behaviors that kept me locked in the domain of the shelter and destined to be put to sleep. If you read verse 22, you will see that Paul tells us that Christ “. . . has now reconciled you in his fleshly body through death, in order to present you before Him, holy and blameless and beyond reproach.” My citizenship in heaven is not secured by my ability to be a good person but by the actions of Jesus Christ in my place.

Finally, as a citizen of the Kingdom of God, when I break the laws of the Kingdom, I have an advocate who intercedes on my behalf (1 John 2:1, 2). That means when I am acting like a citizen of the domain of darkness and repent of my behavior, I know that Christ is there, interceding on my behalf, proclaiming my righteousness through His blood. I am grateful of God’s continued demonstration of His grace and mercy toward me through Christ Jesus.

As a citizen of Heaven I have a lot to be thankful for. As an American I have a lot to be thankful for. Yet, there are times when my dual citizenship clashes and I must decide- am I an American first or a citizen of Heaven first. More on that issue next time.

Gather and Go

Pastor Dale

I am an American and as a result I live with “certain unalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.” However, I am also a citizen of the Kingdom of God and that means that I live by a certain set of morals, standards and laws that are established by God. I am grateful that God has given me the blessing of living in a nation in which I can participate in government and have a voice in the day-to-day affairs that affect my life. I am grateful that I live in a land where “all men are created equal” and I have rights guaranteed to me by the Constitution of the United States. As a citizen of the United States I have a great deal to be thankful for. As an Ambassador of the Kingdom of God I have even more for which I am thankful.

First, Paul writes in the book of Colossians that “. . . He rescued us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son.” (Col.1:13). When God rescues an individual from the dominion of darkness, he doesn’t just leave them to wonder about aimlessly without direction or to return to their old ways, but he places them in the Kingdom of His Son so that they have a home, are cared for and are loved. Let me illustrate this with an example: When someone rescues a dog from an animal shelter they do not just turn around an put the dog back on the streets to be collected again and returned to the shelter. No people go to the shelters to select a dog that they will remove from the shelter and the consequences of the shelter to take home where they will be cared for and loved. Like unadopted dogs left in the domain of the shelter, those who are left in the domain of darkness face certain death, but like the dog rescued from the shelter, those placed in the Kingdom of God have a home where they are loved and cared for by the King Himself.

Second, Paul also wrote that we were rescued from the domain of darkness “. . . Although you were formerly alienated and hostile in mind and engaged in evil deeds” (Col. 1:21). Again, using the example of a dog in a shelter, what Paul is saying is that, I (we), was (were) not the cute and cuddly puppy that everyone wants to take home from the shelter- but that I (we) was (were) the mean, snarling, snapping dog who held my (our) rescuer at bay unaware that it was just such behaviors that kept me locked in the domain of the shelter and destined to be put to sleep. If you read verse 22, you will see that Paul tells us that Christ “. . . has now reconciled you in his fleshly body through death, in order to present you before Him, holy and blameless and beyond reproach.” My citizenship in heaven is not secured by my ability to be a good person but by the actions of Jesus Christ in my place.

Finally, as a citizen of the Kingdom of God, when I break the laws of the Kingdom, I have an advocate who intercedes on my behalf (1 John 2:1, 2). That means when I am acting like a citizen of the domain of darkness and repent of my behavior, I know that Christ is there, interceding on my behalf, proclaiming my righteousness through His blood. I am grateful of God’s continued demonstration of His grace and mercy toward me through Christ Jesus.

As a citizen of Heaven I have a lot to be thankful for. As an American I have a lot to be thankful for. Yet, there are times when my dual citizenship clashes and I must decide- am I an American first or a citizen of Heaven first. More on that issue next time.

Gather and Go

Pastor Dale

Reading Jospeh Stowells book Eternity has encouraged me to blog on a topic that has been rolling around in my head the last few weeks- the topic of our citizenship. I'm not talking about our nationallity or what nation we were born in or anything like that. I am talking about the place we call home. Paul wrote to the church at Philippi, "For our citizenship is in heaven from which we eagerly await the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ" (Philippains 3:20). Think about that verse in the light of these thoughts: Heaven is the place where God dwells and Christ is present. It is the home of the believer. It is where our names are registered. Life in heaven is very different than life here on earth, it is the place where God's will is done and we are under the rule of the King of Heaven and heavenly laws. It is a glorious place.

However, the very glory of our home is dimmed in this present world. When we embrace the things of this world, attempt to find satisfaction and fullfilment in the best of this world, we lose the reality that the things of this world are empty compared to what lays in wait for us at home. When we travel it is not unusal for us to eat new foods, sleep in exotic places, but no matter how rich the food or extravagant the room in which we sleep, in time, we long to be home, asleep in our own beds. There is just something about being home. As a believer, we must fight the urge to see this world as our home and the things of this world as the source of our fulfillment and happiness. It can never truely be. First, this world is stained by sin. Even the good things of this world are tainted by sin. How many times have you heard of someone being hurt by someone they love (and don't just think of romance here)? What about the heartache of parents over children or the wounds inflicted on children by parents? How many times has someone in the church let you down? These things should not surprise us, sin and Satan still hold sway in this world. When the believer seeks to find hope in the things of this world they will be disappointed for the hope of this world is not sustainable- it is fleeting. As long as the illusion that the things of this world hold some promise for us we will continue to seek after them. It is only when we focus on the hope that is ours at home that we will be able to endure the things of this world.

Gather and Go

Pastor Dale

I plan to blog more about this and even do some preaching about this in the futre, but I want to leave you with a quote from Stowell's book that really illustrates what I have just said. 

  "If Heaven is our cnstant hope and the King is our guide and the expression of His kingdom is our calling, then life in this world comes more clearly into view. Its disappointments don't damgage or surprise us. We expect little of it, for our reward is yet to come, and we hope to take captives form it in our march toward home.(p.25)