My Lord Is Near Me All The Time

In the area I live we have been under a severe weather alert for some time now. The news stations are focusing on it and it is the conversation in our home and I am sure in other homes. Pretty powerful storm. Tornadoes, wind, thunder, heavy rain, dark clouds, etc. I grew up in Wichita Falls, TX and remember thunderstorms, lightning storms, and pretty serious tornadoes. Tornadoes were a normal part of the Spring season. On April 10, 1979 a tornado came through Wichita Falls and surrounding towns and caused major damage to homes and businesses and lives were lost due to the storm. My Youth Minister's house was destoyed except for the inner bathroom were his wife was staying for protection. For years my father would recall that day and tell the story of how he saw the tornadoe as it demolished homes and businesses. It impacted my father so much that just a few years later he started 3N Storm Shelter Company which placed tornado shelters in peoples yards. I worked for my father while in late high school and through college to help pay for my education.

This reminds me of a Hymn I learned while serving as the Youth Minister at First Baptist Church of Lakeside City some years ago. Serving in that church was a great time. The words to the hymn are below. I like this hymn because of the lyrics and the melody. I enjoy nature and storms even though I do not care for the destruction caused in storms.

First Stanza: In the lightning flash across the sky His mighty power I see, and I know if He can reign on high, His light can shine on me.

Second Stanza: When the thunder shakes the mighty hills and trembles every tree, then I know a God so great and strong can surely harbor me.

Third Stanza: When refreshing showers cool the earth and sweep across the sea, then His rainbow shines within my heart, His nearness comforts me.

Chorus: I've seen it in the lightning, heard it in the thunder, and felt it in the rain; My Lord is near me all the time, my Lord is near me all the time.

My Lord Is Near me All The Time by Barbara Fowler Gaultney (1935-1974) copyright in Baptist Hymnal 1975. Hymn number 209.

Lookin' Forward,Havin' Fun, and Lookin' Forward

My son and I played in a benefit Golf Tourney this past Saturday. He and I enjoy the sport even though we do not play enough to really enjoy the sport. We played with another father son duo and had a great time playing golf, saying, "nice shot", and especially driving the cart. When my son and I were able to register for the tourney the anticipation set in and the countdown began. Countdown anticipation is a joyful way to live. We were lookin' forward to being with the other guys who are good friends, playing on a nice course, and driving the cart. We had fun. We hit some good hots and some not so good shots. The good shots are the ones remember. Learn from the not so good shots and remember the good shots. We laughed, high fived and played a pretty good round. Golf is a game of lookin' forward. In order to play the game well one cannot focus on the past bad shot, but instead one must visualize and focus on the upcoming shot. Look forward. Thanks to Barry Rowe who put the tourney together and others who helped. Thanks to the father and son we played with on Saturday. We had a joyful time.

Beautiful

Saw all three of these birds this past week. Beautiful.

Live Forward

"Life can only be understood backwards; but it must be lived forwards."
Soren Kierkegaard

Scott Salsman used this quote in his message this past Sunday as he shared with us from the book of Philippians the topic of experiencing joy in our future. This is good food for thought.

A Letter To Sunrise - Joy In Your Future

Greetings,

Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!
Rejoice in the Lord always [delight, gladden yourselves in Him]; again I say, Rejoice!
Always be glad because of the Lord! I will say it again: Be glad.
Celebrate God all day, every day. I mean, revel in him!
Be full of joy in the Lord always. I will say again, be full of joy.

The above are all Philippians 4:4 in various translations. You can find these at www.biblegateway.com. This website will help you as read and study the Bible. You may want to take some time this week and visit this site and read the letter of Philippians in several different English translations. As you read the letter be sensitive to God as He speaks to you and you will sense your joy quota increasing as He shows you how to find joy in Him at all times.

Today’s service was sweet. The children interviewed on the DVD clip was funny, the children singing was encouraging, and the Lord’s Supper reminded us of the bright future we have as followers of Jesus Christ. I thank God for the opportunity to worship with you on the weekends and I hope and pray that you are encouraged in your faith walk as you worship God and offer yourself to Him.

The future for followers of Jesus Christ is bright and hopeful. Yes, we will experience difficult days, and seasons of sadness, but the hope we have is that “God is with us” and that He “will never leave or forsake us”. He is real and He does restore and heal. He cares and can provide joy in the midst of difficulties. The future for a follower of Jesus Christ is ultimately heaven. Heaven is a place beyond description. A place of hope, love, joy, peace and goodness. The place of our beginning. The place all people long for whether they know it or not. Look around at the spring beauty, smell the scent of fresh air after a hard rain, note natures colors and the breeze on your face and you will smile. You will sense a little joy. Multiply that joy times ten million and you still have not tapped into the wonderful future awaiting followers of Jesus. Wow, that is refreshing. Much like a morning coffee, an ice cold sweet tea, a V-8 or the Dallas Cowboys winning the Super Bowl (For those who do not know, I am a Cowboy fan)

In order to experience joy in our future as we traverse this terrestrial ball you and I need look forward, lean forward and live with just a hint of discontent in our spiritual lives. We need a discontented contentment as we place our lives in God’s hands, God’s future and grow in our relationship with Him and others. Learning more, growing more, serving more and looking forward to the hope we have in Christ. We also need to be committed to following Jesus. You and I know that a half hearted commitment is not really a commitment. We know that a half hearted commitment to anything in life will not produce joy. We do know it will result in drudgery, sorrow, disappointment and negativism. Who really wants to live there? All in favor please call 1-800-HELPMEE (JK). We also know almost instinctively that a commitment to a goal, project, relationship and other facets of life will give birth to excitement, anticipation, and joy. Joy in your future can be a reality if you will commit yourself to the Great Joy Giver. As you experience your joy quota rising do not give up when difficult times visit your porch. Look forward. Remain firm in your faith and allow God to do His work in your life and the lives of others. He loves you and cares for you. He desires for you to live in His full joy. This week give God your future dreams. Give God all of you. Commit your life to Him. Be still just a few minutes on your porch or in your yard and know that God is for you, with you, and His joy can be yours.

I and the other leaders in Sunrise thank God for you and look forward to God’s continual work as we worship, serve and share Jesus Christ with others.

Looking Forward and Rejoicing,
Steve Nethery

Overdressed

"If you're all wrapped up in yourself, you are overdressed." Anonymous

I am often oversdressed in me, myself and I. It is not a very attractive attire. I do pray and hope to dress in "love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, faithfulness, and self-control". This is a nice outfit.

Joy In Your Accomplishments

Last week I sent out an email requesting that people reply with accomplishments that they think have been beneficial to them, others and possibly even the Kingdom of God. I read some of them in the service on Sunday, 4-20-08. The below a are few more responses.

How ironic you should send this out this week. One of my proudest accomplishments, besides my own children has been my wonderful Christian friendships I have forged over the last 20+ years of my adult life. Christian believers like Mike Whelan, whom I spoke to this week, have been a blessing to me. How wonderful it is that not only do we have common interests, but most importantly we have our Father that binds us together.

Hi, Steve,
How are you? One thing comes to mind for joy in family accomplishments - this happened a few weeks ago. My son (8 years old) was having a March of Dimes drive for his school. I explained to him what March of Dimes is and how it helps little babies who are born too early. I knew he had some money saved up, so asked him if he wanted to take $1 of his own money to donate. He said he would, so got out his money for me. He went back to eating breakfast and then out of the blue said, "One dollar isn't enough for those little babies. I want to give more." So, he went back to his wallet and pulled out a $10 bill. I asked him if he was sure and he said yes, that it was like helping the poor and how we need to help out other people. I was so proud of him and was overjoyed to see how he reached out to help someone else. This was a joy to me in that it let me know that I am raising my children to be aware of needs in the world and to take action to help. I can't think of a more rewarding accomplishment!

I have been thinking about this since you sent it to me and I think as far as accomplishments in this season of my life, it is the joy of getting up and out of bed every single day. During this illness there have been days that I have not been able to do that and days where I am not even up to changing clothes. I have asked God and thanked God for that opportunity and I find it is a great accomplishment and something I am not always guaranteed to do. I get up and study and pray and thank Him for it. You can use my name if you want; you know I am not shy.
I also think another accomplishment that I get joy from is encouraging my family to trust God and let him lead your life. Whether it is with my children, my daughters-in-law, or my nieces and nephews I think that God gave me the ability to speak with them frankly and encourage them to lean on Him.
Well, that is my story and I am sticking to it. Talk to me in a year and we will see what other accomplishments He has allowed me to complete. See you Sunday.

Taking Care Of Business

Recently read an article about churches learning from businesses. Here a few things written and worth thinking about if you are a leader in any organization.

Think through your core values. What is really important to you. What are the basics of the basics for you. List them out. Memorize them and flesh them out.

What is your mission or purpose? What are you seeking to accomplish? Think this through and write it out in a very brief sentence that you can memorize and use as a measuring stick for progress on purpose.

Set Goals. Weekly. Monthly. Quarterly. Yearly. On and On and On.

Operate with accountability and integrity. Purposefully set up systems that flesh out your core values, your mission and set goals that are measurable. Be accountable to the group and individuals and be open to others seeing the inner workings of the organization.

Finances. Businesses that do well and are respected manage their finances with great detail and seek to keep cost and expenses within income or receipts given.

Be organized and have written policies for your church and specific ministries. This allows for more flexibility and creativity that helps the whole organization.

Fun Stuff.

A Letter to Sunrise - Joy In Your Accomplishments

Hello,

I hope and pray that the accomplishment comments read in the service today touched your life and that you will spend some time this week thinking about experiencing joy in your accomplishments. As the comments came to me via email I was encouraged and experienced laughter, misty eyes (okay, tears), and spent time reflecting on some of my personal, professional, and family accomplishments that have been beneficial to me, others, and God’s Kingdom. This time in thought lead to thanksgiving, confession, praise and hope. I also made a few phone calls and sent a few emails to people who have helped me along the way. I could sense my joy quota increasing as I read the emails, spent time with God and made a few contacts. May your joy quota increase as you continue to read through Philippians, make a few contacts to say, “Thanks”, this week, and as you spend some time thinking about the many blessings and accomplishments in your life.

As I and the other leaders in Sunrise think about how God has worked in our lives and in your lives we give thanks and we rejoice. This year we have had new people in our weekend service every Sunday. You are inviting others to the service, introducing them to others and their lives are being touched by God and you. You and others are giving of your time, talents and finances and so that others can experience God’s love and blessing as you have. Story after story is being told to the leaders in Sunrise of how God is doing a wonderful work in your life and in the lives of people in your circle of relationships. What a joy! The leaders and I thank God for the opportunity to serve with you, to accomplish task with you, to build relationships with you, and to reach out to others with you. We hope you are sensing God’s joy and power in your life.

As we think about the accomplishments God has allowed us to experience may we give ourselves to God. May we look to honor God at work, in our homes, at play and in our resting. This week take some time to memorize Philippians 4:4 “Delight yourselves in God, yes, find your joy in Him at all times.” As you do this you will begin to smile a little more. I want to encourage you to look forward this week and live in hope. God’s future for you is a future of hope. “For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” (Jeremiah 29:11). Thank God. That is exciting. As you think about your accomplishments you will see that people are involved. God created us to be involved in relationships. Sometimes we give and sometimes we receive. This week seek to be a giver. Think of just one simple way you can have a positive impact in someone’s life and add a joyful accomplishment to your list. Be sneaky, have fun, and watch your joy quota increase substantially.

I and the other leaders in Sunrise thank God for you and look forward to God’s continual work as we worship, serve and share Jesus Christ with others. It is a joy to be able to accomplish God’s work with you and others.


Rejoicing,
Steve Nethery

Earth Day 2008

Today is Earth Day.

1 In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.
2 Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters. 3 And God said, "Let there be light," and there was light. 4 God saw that the light was good, and He separated the light from the darkness. 5 God called the light "day," and the darkness he called "night." And there was evening, and there was morning—the first day. 6 And God said, "Let there be an expanse between the waters to separate water from water." 7 So God made the expanse and separated the water under the expanse from the water above it. And it was so. 8 God called the expanse "sky." And there was evening, and there was morning—the second day. 9 And God said, "Let the water under the sky be gathered to one place, and let dry ground appear." And it was so. 10 God called the dry ground "land," and the gathered waters he called "seas." And God saw that it was good.
11 Then God said, "Let the land produce vegetation: seed-bearing plants and trees on the land that bear fruit with seed in it, according to their various kinds." And it was so. 12 The land produced vegetation: plants bearing seed according to their kinds and trees bearing fruit with seed in it according to their kinds. And God saw that it was good. 13 And there was evening, and there was morning—the third day. 14 And God said, "Let there be lights in the expanse of the sky to separate the day from the night, and let them serve as signs to mark seasons and days and years, 15 and let them be lights in the expanse of the sky to give light on the earth." And it was so. 16 God made two great lights—the greater light to govern the day and the lesser light to govern the night. He also made the stars. 17 God set them in the expanse of the sky to give light on the earth, 18 to govern the day and the night, and to separate light from darkness. And God saw that it was good. 19 And there was evening, and there was morning—the fourth day.
20 And God said, "Let the water teem with living creatures, and let birds fly above the earth across the expanse of the sky." 21 So God created the great creatures of the sea and every living and moving thing with which the water teems, according to their kinds, and every winged bird according to its kind. And God saw that it was good. 22 God blessed them and said, "Be fruitful and increase in number and fill the water in the seas, and let the birds increase on the earth." 23 And there was evening, and there was morning—the fifth day. 24 And God said, "Let the land produce living creatures according to their kinds: livestock, creatures that move along the ground, and wild animals, each according to its kind." And it was so. 25 God made the wild animals according to their kinds, the livestock according to their kinds, and all the creatures that move along the ground according to their kinds. And God saw that it was good.

• Thank God for creation


• Recycle items. Especially aluminum and plastic.


• Ask for brown bags instead of plastic.


• Plant a shrub, a tree, or a few flowers.


• Place trash in trash cans.


• Pick up some trash as you walk over or by it.


• Have fun.

Leadership Thought

"A wise man creates more opportunities than he discovers." Francis Bacon

Right now ask God to make you a wise leader. Ask God to help you see, discover, and even create opps for His Kingdom to come. Right now.

Philippians 3:12-16

12-14I'm not saying that I have this all together, that I have it made. But I am well on my way, reaching out for Christ, who has so wondrously reached out for me. Friends, don't get me wrong: By no means do I count myself an expert in all of this, but I've got my eye on the goal, where God is beckoning us onward—to Jesus. I'm off and running, and I'm not turning back.
15-16So let's keep focused on that goal, those of us who want everything God has for us. If any of you have something else in mind, something less than total commitment, God will clear your blurred vision—you'll see it yet! Now that we're on the right track, let's stay on it.

Catch Up Blog - Dinner

Went to dinner with a group of church leaders this weekend. We had a good time. Good food, good visiting and a fun time watching the chef prepare our food. We laughed with one another, learned a little more about one another, and left encouraged and smiling. Looking forward to more times like this one.

Catch Up Blog - A Feel Good Movie

I sat down, and laid down, on the couch Saturday afternoon after helping a friend do some early morning and into the afternoon hours work and came across a movie that was funny, romantic, hopeful, joyful, and made me feel good. Maid in Manhattan made my afternoon. I thank God for falling in love, having fun, new life challenges, children and other stuff that makes me feel good and causes me to think about life, love, joy and living in hope.

Catch Up Blog - Early Morning Sunrise

Last Friday I was on my way to a job very early and had the opportunity to watch the sun come up over the city of Norfolk. It was beautiful. As I drove through areas of Norfolk I noted the Dogwoods, the Azaleas and the other spring flowers that are glorifying God with their color. The beauty reminded me that God is in control. He is into beauty. He is glorious. I am His. What a joy. The days work was fun, the sun was shining, and the birds were singing. God rocks.

Philippians 3:7-11

7-9The very credentials these people are waving around as something special, I'm tearing up and throwing out with the trash—along with everything else I used to take credit for. And why? Because of Christ. Yes, all the things I once thought were so important are gone from my life. Compared to the high privilege of knowing Christ Jesus as my Master, firsthand, everything I once thought I had going for me is insignificant—dog dung. I've dumped it all in the trash so that I could embrace Christ and be embraced by him. I didn't want some petty, inferior brand of righteousness that comes from keeping a list of rules when I could get the robust kind that comes from trusting Christ—God's righteousness.
10-11I gave up all that inferior stuff so I could know Christ personally, experience his resurrection power, be a partner in his suffering, and go all the way with him to death itself. If there was any way to get in on the resurrection from the dead, I wanted to do it.

Living In God's Will

I am a part of a small group of people called a Community Group. We are coming to the end of a study and fellowship at which we have been reading about and discussing how we can know what God wants us to do as individuals. The reading, thought and discussion have been beneficial to all in attendance. The author of the material suggest the following acrostic:

GUIDE

Go to the Lord (God)

Understand His principles

Investigate your options

Discuss it with others

Express your freedom

God will guide us as we seek Him. As we seek Him we will live in hope.

Remembering - A Life Prayer

One year ago today 33 lives were taken on the campus of VT. May we take some time throughout the day to remember and pray for the families who suffered loss for students and faculty at VT, and may we offer the following Life Prayer to God.

Our Father in heaven, how holy and pure is Your name. I am your servant. As I live for you today help me to live a pure and honorable live for You. May your Kingdom come, may your will be done on earth, as it is in heaven. This day is your day. My life is a gift from You. I will live in Your love, goodness and hope today and will share your love with others. Give us today the food we need. Thank you Lord for your provisions. Thanks for my family, my home, my career, my income and the many other ways you have blessed me. I will give back to You and others. Forgive us our sins, as we have forgiven those who sin against us. God, I recognize that I do not always live up to your holy ways and I a thankful for your forgiveness. Strengthen me so that I will not hold on to unforgiveness and hold on to grudges. May I live in grace, mercy, and joy. Don’t let us yield to temptation, but rescue us from the evil one. I am your servant. Please protect me and help me make wise and Godly decisions today as I live for You.

Friends

The following is taken from Bob the Blogger.

Every one of us has to make the decision on how to choose our friends. Who will we hang with? Are there people from our past we need to let go? This morning, my devotional was entitled "Stay Focused." The key verse is "Forgetting the past" (Philippians 3:13, New Living Translation). Here are five types of people the writer says we will encounter in our relationships with others:
Refreshers: people who strengthen your faith and energize you.
Refiners: People who sharpen you and clarify your vision.
Reflectors: People who mirror your energy.
Reducers: People who try to diminish your goals and efforts to their comfort level.
Rejectors: People who don't understand you or what God called you to do.

The writer states, "With God's help we can focus on the first three and let him handle the last two. Remain focused and you will stay grounded; the praise of others is less likely to go to your head, and the negative impact of your critics will be minimized."
Have a great Monday! Blessings, Pastor Bob
Source: The Word for You Today April 14, 2008

Dude

Dude,

I sent out a mass email today requesting people to respond with personal, professional, and family accomplishments that they believe have had a positive impact on their lives, the lives of others, and maybe in the Kingdom of God. WOW. What a response already. Look forward to many more.

I will be sharing a message this Sunday from Paul's letter to the Philippians found in the New Testament of the Bible. I am pumped after reading the responses. DO NOT MISS THIS SUNDAY. I will be reading the responses. You will be encouraged, humbled, excited, pumped, wowed, and tears and laghter will be a part of this experience.

Feel free to send your list to sneth@cox.net. Please give me your name even though I will not mention your name during the service or in the message.

LOL with joy.