From Pastor Tom - John 3:16

Let me share a few thoughts with you from John 3:16.  You know the verse - it says:

                         "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son,                                      that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life."  (John 3:16)

The verse is a twenty-six-word parade of hope: beginning with God, ending with life, and urging us to do the same.  Brief enough to write on a napkin or memorize in a moment, yet solid enough to weather two thousand years of storms and questions.  If you know nothing of the Bible - start here.  If you know everything about the Bible - return here.  We all need the reminder.  The heart of the human problem is  the heart of the human.   And God's treatment is prescribed in John 3:16.

He loves.  He gave.  We believe.  We live. 

He loves.

God loves you because he chooses to do so.  "God wasn't attracted to you and didn't choose you because you were big and important... He did it out of sheer love..." (Deut. 7:7-8, MSG).  God's love for you depends on his goodness, not yours.  And since he is totally good, you are absolutely loved.  You don't need to win his love, you already have it.  And since you can't win it, you can't lose it.  He will love you forever.  You may step outside of his will, but never his love.  Mark it down.  He loves you.  So much , in fact , that...

He gave.

He gave his one and only Son.  Jesus is God's "one and only."  He is unlike any other person in history  Every quality we attribute to God, we can give to Jesus.  Jesus has an eternal life span, unending wisdom, and tireless energy.  Most of all, Jesus is sinless.  When he lived on the earth, he never sinned,  "He never did one thing wrong.  Not once said anything amiss"    (1 Peter 2:22, MSG).

We, on the other hand, do wrong things daily.  We stretch the truth.  We hurt people.  We take advantage of the weak and disrespect our family.  What should God do?  He has made his position clear,  "Anyone whose life is not holy will never see the Lord"  (Hebrews 12:14, NCV).  Where does that leave us?

It leaves us depending on the 3:16 promise.  "God... gave his one and only son..."  Though sinless, Jesus took our sin.  God placed our sin on his Son and punished it.  When Jesus died on the cross, he died for us in our place.  Our response to this great gift is simple...

We believe.

We trust Jesus to do what we can't.  We don't trust our own efforts to save us.  We can't save ourselves.  We don't place our trust in other people to save us.  We believe in him.

We take similar steps of trust daily, even hourly.  Believing the chair will support us, we set our weight on it.  Believing water will hydrate, we drink it.  Trusting the work of the light switch, we flip it.  We have faith in the doorknob, so we turn it.  We trust power we cannot see to do work we can't accomplish.  Jesus invites us to do the same with him.  And when we do, when we believe...

We live.

God gives us brand-new life.  He gives us joy in this life and the promise of eternal life with him.  We have joy because we have his spirit living within us.  Little by little his Spirit changes us to be more like Jesus.  No guilt in life, no fear of death, he gives life, now.

And life for eternity.  In Heaven you will be you at your best.  No anger or sadness, tears or trouble.  Never weary, selfish, or defeated.

Clear mind, tireless muscles, unhindered joy.  And most of all, God!

"Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and the knowledge of God" (Romans 11:33, ESV). Heaven is a perfect place of perfected people with our perfect Lord.

Would you like to accept the 3:16 promise?  You can.  Tell God you accept him.

"Father, I believe you love me.  You gave your one and only Son so I can live forever with you.  Apart from you , I die.  With you, I live.  I choose life.  I choose you."

Jesus awaits your prayer.  Believe in him and you will...    Not..   Perish...                                    You will have life, eternal life, forever.

Pastor Tom

From Pastor Tom - Getting Connected Matters

The world has never been more connected. Companies have laid millions of miles of fiber optics and shot satellites into space so that people can communicate with each other. People all around the world are texting each other on smart phones. Yet people feel more and more disconnected.  We don’t feel nearly as connected to each other as people did a generation ago.

 We were created for Relationship - In fact the first thing God said was, “It’s not good for man to be alone.” God said that humans were not made for isolation. We were made for connection. Why? We were created in the image of God. The Bible says God is love. And to love, you’ve got to have somebody to love.

 The Bible says that that being spiritually connected means:

 We’re built like a Building - “In Christ you are built together spiritually into a dwelling place for God” (Ephesians 2:22 NRSV). We are meant to fit together like bricks in a new building. It’s essential that the parts of a building fit together. You aren’t safe otherwise because there’s no support. Likewise, those who aren’t connected to a church family in any meaningful way have no support. Life is tough. We all need the support of people who care about us.

 We’re joined in a Body - “Just as there are many parts to our bodies, so it is with Christ’s Body. We are all parts of it, and it takes every one of us to make it complete, for we each have different work to do. So we belong to each other, and each of us needs all the others” (Romans 12: 4-5 TLB). What Jesus Christ did when he was here in his physical body, he wants to do today through the church. We are the body of Christ on Earth. We are his hands. We are his feet. All of us have to play our part. Being part of the body of Christ means we are a part of something bigger than ourselves, and if we don’t play our specific part, the mission of the church is impacted.

 We’re born into a Family - “I want you to know how people who are members of God’s family must live. God’s family is the church…” (1 Timothy 3:15 GW). This is my favorite metaphor for the church. Most people think that Christianity is a belief system. There are beliefs in Christianity, but it’s so much more. Christianity is a belong system. The Bible says we were born again into God’s family when we became a follower of Jesus. It also says that we’ve been adopted into God’s family.  Because we are part of God’s family, we should accept one another and love one another.

 We’re attached to a Vine - “Live in me, and I will live in you. A branch cannot produce any fruit by itself. It has to stay attached to the vine. In the same way, you cannot produce fruit unless you live in me"  (John 15:4 GW). Being connected isn’t just a horizontal issue. It’s a vertical one as well. We need to be connected to God himself. Jesus says when we are connected to him it’s like being attached to a vine. Fruit not connected to a vine dies. It’s that simple.

 Two new opportunities for getting connected are starting this month at APC. 

 1.  Purpose Driven Life Bible Study  Starting July 9th at 6:30 pm we will begin a study on the book - "The Purpose Driven Life".  I will be teaching the study which will help us discover what God's purposes are for our lives. 

 2.  Sit and Sew  On July 19th starting at 9 am - Sit and Sew will be meeting in the Manse Hall.  This is an opportunity to meet with others and work on your crafts or learn a new one.  Quilting, Scrap-Booking, Knitting are just some of the crafts that you might want to share. 

 Let’s work together to stay connected.

 Pastor Tom

From Pastor Tom - Stressed or Rest?

“I have no peace, no quietness; I have no rest, but only turmoil.”  Job 3:26 (NIV)

 Have you ever felt the way Job felt?

 Consider these statistics: 

• People now sleep 2½ hours less each night than people did a hundred years ago. 

• The average workweek is longer now than it was in the 1960s.

• We spend eight months of our lives opening junk mail.

• We spend five years of our lives waiting for people who are late. 

We are a piled-on, stretched-to-the limit society.  We have too much rush, too many choices, too much work, too much debt, too much activity.  We’re information overloaded, chronically rushed and chronically exhausted.  Simply put, we’re stressed by the pace of life.  In the military we call it “OP-TEMPO.”  The pace has picked up and there is no hint of a slow-down anywhere in the near future.

 Is there a solution?  Yes.  It’s called rest!  Consider the following verse:

 “Come to me and I will give you rest – all of you who work so hard beneath a heavy yoke.  Wear my yoke – for it fits perfectly – and let me teach you; for I am gentle and humble, and you shall find rest for your souls; for I give you only light burdens.”  Matthew 11:28-30 (LB)

We think that rest is connected with a complete stop of work – it’s not.  It is connected with the following three principles:

1. Find what fits:  Find the parts of your job which you enjoy. These tasks become your “rest period.”  Why?  Because “it fits perfectly” – I enjoy them.  I have the skills and abilities to accomplish the job and I enjoy working on these tasks.  It fits!  It is no longer a burden but a joy.

2. Take smaller bites:  The question has been asked; “How do you eat an elephant?”  The answer is simple; “One bite at a time.”  Often we try eating the whole elephant in one sitting.  (Carry the whole load.)  Look at what Jesus said; “I give you only light burdens.”  Smaller loads.  Break down the large tasks into smaller pieces. 

3. Seek God’s guidance:  Many of the things we get stressed about don’t really matter in God’s big plan of things.  What does God care about?  Ask Him.  (Prayer)  Read the book He wrote for you.  (Bible study.)  I’ll bet He’ll let you know what the important things are.  He has already said, “Come to me.” 

May God Bless,                                                                                                                            Pastor Tom

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