From Pastor Tom -Clearing The Clutter That Blocks God’s Voice

Did you know that God wants to speak to you – but many times we are not receptive?  Job 33:14 says:

“God may speak in one way, or in another, Yet man does not perceive it.”

 The problem is not that God does not speak.  The problem is that sometimes we don’t perceive God speaking because we are not receptive or perceptive.  Sometimes we are just too preoccupied with other things to hear His voice. We have communication clutter.

 Let me give you five simple steps to clear up the clutter.

1.  BEGIN WITH THE RIGHT ATTITUDE                                                                           Reverence, expectancy, humility and obedience are all key attitudes in hearing God’s voice.  God wants us to have the right attitude as we seek Him.

“Seek the Lord, all you meek of the earth, Who have upheld His justice. Seek righteousness, seek humility.”  Zephaniah 2:3 (NKJV)

2.  SET ASIDE TIME TO TALK AND LISTEN TO GOD                                                                Jesus set aside a special time to pray.  Here is the pattern that He used.

"Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went to a solitary place, where he prayed."  Mark 1:35

 3.  CHOOSE A SPECIAL PLACE TO TALK AND LISTEN TO GOD                                            Not only did He set aside a special time He also set aside a special place where He could be alone with the Father.

"Jesus left the city and went, as he usually did, to the Mount of Olives ... to pray."  Luke 22:39 (GN)

 4.  READ THE BIBLE                                                                                                                     God speaks through the Bible.  That is one reason it is called The Word of God.  How can we expect to hear God’s voice if we don’t read His Word?  In fact in 2 Timothy chapter 3 we find.

“All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.” 2 Timothy 3:16-17 (NKJV)

5.  LISTEN FOR GOD’S VOICE                                                                                                      "Be still, and know that I am God."  Psalm 46:10

May God Bless,                                                                                                                            Pastor Tom

Spring is in the air! The Farmers Market is back!

Feel that nice warm breeze in the air.  Or maybe that was snow I saw on the grass a few days ago when I glanced out the window on a very chilly morning.  Oh well, it must be springtime in Kansas.  And you know what that means - time for the annual Auburn Farmers Market to start back up for the summer.  The first day for the market will be Tuesday, April 29.  The hours are from 1:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.  The Market is held in the church parking lot. 

For those of you interested in participating in the Farmers Market as a vendor here is the necessary information:

There is a one time fee of $10.00 payable on your first visit to set up at the market.   ALL items sold must be made or grown locally by the vendor and/or his or her associates. You may reserve a spot at any point during the summer.  If you have any questions about selling items please call Laura Alexander @ 785-836-2337.

And, of course, for those of you interested in buying some homemade items or delicious fresh produce just visit the market each Tuesday to see what is available.  See you at the market!  

From Pastor Tom - Keys to Developing Self-Control

            “A person without self-control is like a house with its doors and windows knocked out.”       Proverbs 25:28 (Msg)

Self control brings with it a feeling of confidence and an inner sense of security.  Self control and self discipline are key factors in any success in this life.  Without self discipline and self control a person is “out of control.”  Without self control, self discipline and commitment you are unlikely to achieve anything of lasting value.  The Apostle Paul realized this when he wrote;

            “Every athlete exercises self-control in all things.  They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable.  So I do not run aimlessly; I do not box as one beating the air.  But I  discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should  be disqualified.”  1 Corinthians 9:25-26 (ESV)

Olympic athletes train for years in order to have a chance to win a brief moment of glory.  But the race we are running is far more important then any earthly athletic event.  What we do here on earth will affect our eternity.  How do we gain self control?  Let me suggest 4 steps to self-control.

1.  Put the past behind you.

Philippians 3:13-14 says, “Forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal.”  Many of us are caught in the past and we live with a misconception.  “Once a failure, always a failure.”  This is NOT true.  Failure in the past does not mean you’ll never be able to change.  You can.

2.  Talk back to your feelings.

Do you let your feelings manipulate you?  God doesn’t want you to be controlled by your feelings.  He wants you to master your moods.  Talk back to them.  Learn to challenge them.  In Titus 2:11-12 we read, “We’re being shown how to turn our backs on a godless, indulgent life, and how to take on a God-filled, God-honoring life.  This new life is starting right now.”  (Msg) God gives us the power to take back our destructive feelings and replace them with God-honoring ones.

3.  Believe you can change.

In 1 Corinthians 10:13 it says, “No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man.  God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.”  (ESV)  That’s a fact.  If you are a Christian you can never say, “The temptation was too strong; I couldn’t help myself.”  When your self-control is being tested, you need to fill your mind with the promises of God.

4.  Depend on God’s power.

Any struggle you are facing will be easier to conquer with God’s help.  In fact, you will never reach self-control without God’s help.   The secret to self-control is Christ’s control.  “For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it.”  Luke 9:24

May God Bless

Pastor Tom

From Pastor Tom - Being Faithful

Let me ask you something:  Can you be counted on?  Are you dependable?  Are you a faithful person?

        “Let a man so consider us, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God.  Moreover it is required in steward that one be found faithful."  1 Corinthians 4:1-2 (NKJV)

 There is no greater privilege today for the Christian than to be known and remembered as a faithful servant of Jesus Christ.  The dictionary defines “faithfulness” as:  trustworthy, dependable, and consistent.  Faithfulness is a rare quality.  Even Proverbs 20:6 says that faithfulness is rare.

        “Most men will proclaim each his own goodness, But who can find a faithful man?” Proverbs 20:6 (NKJV)

 This passage reminds us that it’s easy to talk about our own “goodness” and believe that we are pretty good, but not many people are really faithful.  As a pastor I’ve heard many people say that they are committed – but the proof is in the follow through.

We want faithfulness though – don’t we?  We want our paper carrier to be reliable.  We want the medicine we take to work every time we take it.  When we go to a restaurant, we want good food and good service every time we go there.  Faithfulness is a quality we want in our everyday life.

As a pastor I’ve learned that not everyone who volunteers to serve will actually come through.  I am very happy when they do!  Why should we as Christians be concerned about faithfulness?  We should be concerned about faithfulness because God is faithful.  Deuteronomy 7:9 says:

        “Therefore know that the Lord your God, He is God, the faithful God who keeps covenant and mercy for a thousand generations.”  Deut. 7:9 (NKJV)

 The most famous geyser in America is Old Faithful at Yellowstone National Park.  Old Faithful is not the biggest geyser in America.  It is not the most powerful geyser.   But it is most famous.  Why?  Because it is dependable.  It goes off like clockwork.  People appreciate dependability.

 God does not require a lot of things from you.

You’re not required to be brilliant.
You’re not required to be articulate.
You’re not required to be literate.
You’re not required to be handsome or beautiful.
You’re not required to be eloquent.

But you are required to be faithful.

Can you be counted on?

May God Bless,

Pastor Tom

From Pastor Tom - End of Year thoughts

Who would have thought that by planting Asian Pear trees, several years ago in my orchard in Burlingame, Kansas that it would lead me to the becoming the pastor of Auburn Presbyterian Church?  But that is what has happened!  In the summer of 2012 my Asian Pear tree produced a bumper crop of fruit.  Rather than letting the fruit go to waste I decided to try selling the fruit at the farmer's market in Auburn - which of course takes place at the church parking lot.  In the process of setting up shop, Dean Melton informed me that the church was without a pastor and I responded by letting him know that I would be willing to "fill the pulpit" sometimes.  It was February 10, 2013 before I was invited to speak and the experience turned out good for all of us.  

Of course filling the pulpit was only the first step along the process to becoming pastor of the church.  My denominational back ground (Southern Baptist) did not sit too well with the Presbytery.  But I met with the Counsel On Ministry and after I told them the Asian Pear story - it was recommended that I serve as pastor.  In June I officially became the pastor of the church. 

Highlights of the year for me include: worshiping together weekly through song, praise, and scripture reading; getting to make friends at the church and in the community; preaching a series of sermons from the 23rd Psalm entitled "Stress Busters"; the Christmas Eve candlelight ceremony; and conducting a wedding ceremony and unfortunately - a funeral service. 

Currently we are going through a series of sermons from the book of James entitled - "Living Life Wisely".  It would be my desire for the church in this coming year - if we could apply James 1:14 to our lives.  "Prove yourselves doers of the word, and not merely hearers who delude themselves."  James 1:22 NASB 

Let us strive to live out God's word through our lives and may those around us see Jesus through us.  May 2014 be a year that we serve God faithfully. 

Blessings.  Pastor Tom

From Pastor Tom - Spiritual Growth

Does Spiritual Growth Just Happen?

Most people think that spiritual growth just happens.  This is not true.  Our spiritual development is much like our physical development.  If you don’t take care of it – it will not be healthy.  You’ve got to have a plan of exercise, proper nutrition and education if you are going to be healthy, strong and mature.

The Bible says, “You must grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.”  2 Peter 3:18 (NLT)

Here are three facts about spiritual growth:

1.  Spiritual Growth Must Be Intentional

The truth is that spiritual growth requires a commitment.  A person must want to grow, decide to grow, and make an effort to grow.  Spiritual growth begins with a decision.

When you make a decision to grow spiritually – God begins to work in your life.  In Philippians 2:12-13, Paul is speaking about spiritual growth and he says, “Work hard to show the results of your salvation . . . for God is working in you.”  Notice that both you and God are involved on your spiritual growth.

2.  Spiritual Growth Requires Commitment

We become what we are committed to.  Without a commitment to grow – any growth that occurs will be circumstantial rather than intentional.  Paul writes about committing to spiritual growth when he says, “…give yourself completely to God…use your whole body as an instrument to do what is right for the glory of God.”  Romans 6:13 (NLT) Commitment is a major step of spiritual growth.

3.  Spiritual Growth Is Not a Private Matter

Some people believe that spiritual growth is a personal and private matter.  This is not what the Bible teaches.  What the Bible teaches is spiritual growth is not self-centered and self-focused.  Spiritual growth is servant focused.  We don’t grow in isolation from others.  We develop in context of fellowship.  Throughout the New Testament we find this basic truth:  Believers need relationships with other believers to grow!  Hebrews 10:24-25 says, “Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works.  And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another…”  Spiritual growth takes place in the context of community.

Join us in January as we begin a new sermon series entitled "Living Life Wisely".  This will be a walk through the book of James.

May God Bless

Pastor Tom

SonWest Roundup VBS

We're getting really excited about Vacation Bible School here at Auburn Presbyterian Church.  It's just a few weeks away and we're all anxious for your children to join us for a rip-roaring good time with Jesus!  At SonWest Roundup your kids will find ultimate truth in Jesus!  Children will have a great time singing songs, watching skits, creating crafts and playing games.  But most important, they’ll discover Jesus provides what they truly need in every challenge of life.   We’re looking forward to sharing this exciting event with the children and families in Auburn.  We hope they will all join us at SonWest Roundup.   

SonWest Roundup will be held June 3 through 7 each day from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon. 

The Roundup is for all children ages 4 through 6th grade (grade just completed).  ​

There will be a closing program on Friday, June 7 at 11:30 a.m. so you can come see and hear all the fun songs your children will learn while they're at SonWest Roundup.  The program will be followed by our traditional VBS picnic.   

Register now on our Vacation Bible School page and plan on have a Rip-Roaring Good Time with Jesus at the SonWest Roundup here at Auburn Presbyterian Church. ​

Auburn Farmers Market

The Auburn Farmers Market will be held in our church parking lot again this year.  It will be every Tuesday from 1:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.  The fee is $10.00 per year for anyone who would like to reserve a spot.  All items sold MUST be made or grown by the vendor.  Absolutely NO resale items will be allowed.  You may reserve a spot at any point during the summer.  If you have any questions about selling items call Laura Alexander at 785-806-5933.

For those of you who would like to purchase homemade items or fresh produce just visit the market each Tuesday to see what is available.  See you at the market!