Prestoncrest Internet Ministry

 

March 30, 2008

Stacey and I have been struggling with a difficult situation over the last couple of weeks. My dad’s health has been declining recently. He has had MS for over 10 years, and while we have seen him change drastically over that time, it has been especially hard to see the latest series of changes. We are having to take a much greater role in helping take care of him on a more frequent basis.

It is difficult in a couple of ways. First, it is physically and mentally hard on us. I know of many of you in this church who are caregivers for spouses, children, or parents. And you know of this challenge by your own experiences. It is inconvenient, is takes time, it can be very hard word, and it is stressful.

But it is also hard on me in another way, to see the decline of my dad. It is hard to watch someone you idolize make such a dramatic change. I’ve always wanted to be just like my dad. He was a great athlete, a smart engineer, a caring and involved father, and leader in the church. He can’t do any of these things any more. It often breaks my heart to see what he has to go through. I very often feel very guilty for being so frustrated with him and what we have to do to help him.

I share this with you this morning, not to get sympathy or even to ask for your prayers, although they are always appreciated. I have come to realize how difficult it is for us in America today to be truly honest about what is going on in our lives. We have trouble being “real.” And while it is easy for me to share me dad’s health problems with you, it is very hard for me to share my own personal struggles with how I feel about it and the conflicts I experience in my family because of it. I’d much rather say “I’m doing great,” and that “I’m fine,” even when I don’t always feel that way.

So I offer this “real” look inside a small portion of my life as an offering and a challenge to you to do the same. It doesn’t have to be with me, but make sure to do it with someone. We all know that we face trials and challenges in our lives all of the time. But we very, very rarely reveal them so no one will think we are weak and don’t have our stuff together. Satan has great power in the secrets we keep. “Carry each others burdens” we are taught. But to do it, you have to offer your up as well.

I’ll try to do better. Will you?

How do you struggle with the events that take place in your daily life? How difficult is it to “be real” with others? I would love to hear back from you. Email me back with your stories or if you are comfortable, add you comments below so that others can benefit from your thoughts as I have.

I stumbled across a new group this week, Tree 63. You may have heard of them, but I had not before. This morning, I share the song “New Creation” with you. I liked the tune, but I really liked the message that Jesus changes us. I hope you like it as well. Listen below.

Free – I am free it’s no longer I who live but Christ in me
I am free, free to be whatever God made me to be
I can be everything that God intended me to be
I am free, bought by Holy Blood, I’ve been set free now
 - New Creation – Tree 63

You may find the FOTFD online here.

Now join me as we “Focus on the First Day.”

God bless,
Mike

Communion

2 Timothy 2:8

The Easter holiday reminds me of  how our culture looks to Jesus, rarely. Often only two times each year. And while we rejoice when our world do look to Jesus, I am also thankful that we do it continually. Each week, we have the opportunity to remember Jesus, his death and resurrection, as we share in the Supper. Thanks God for that opportunity as we share that meal together on Sunday morning.

Sermon

“5 Choices” (Bob Chisholm)
Matthew 27:11-22

This Sunday morning, Bob will look at choice made by some of the people who were around Jesus in response to Him on the final day before His death. What did these choices reveal about the people around Jesus? What choices can we make in our response to Jesus? Find out how what choices you can to about him this weekend.

Prayer Time

Matthew 16:24-27

We know that the biggest decision that we make in our lifetime is a response to the gift of grace offered to us by Jesus. Do we accept His as our savior? But even after becoming a Christian, we still make choices every day in response to Jesus. In addition to making Him our Savior, do we allow Jesus to be our Lord, our friend, our brother? Do I do it today? How about on Monday afternoons? Talk with God during Prayer Time this Sunday about turning your heart over to Him, letting the Spirit transform you into the person God wants you be … each day.

Sunday Night

“A Life of Praise” (John Scott Davis)
Psalm 105:1-2

This Sunday evening, our 5th Sunday sing returns. John Scott will lead us in a service of praise in song. Learn some new songs and lift up your love to God. If you love to sing, make sure to be here for this special service.

We are encouraged to be a family of believers that choose to come together each week in worship. Come this Sunday with a desire to not just come to church, but come to truly be the church.

This entry was posted on Friday, March 28th, 2008 at 1:10 pm and is filed under FOTFD. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.