SOTP-Newsletter Archives - Shepherd of the Prairie

A Note

From Pastor Mark

There are many Christian churches in our country, but many church memberships are in decline. And of course, in many of those churches the old 20/80 rule applies as in most organizations. 20 percent of the people do 80 percent of the work. One of the many blessings at SOTP is the number of people engaged in ministry on our various ministry teams. On ministry night (the 2nd Monday of the month) between 45-60 people gather each month

In the 9th chapter of Luke, Jesus is engaging in his face-to-face ministry on earth. As he proclaims God’s message, he encounters a Samaritan village that is not welcoming. His disciples are furious at the response from this village, but Jesus is not deterred. He simply moves on.

Jesus asks others along the way to join his ministry and follow him, but they all have excuses. They are committed to family affairs and business. Jesus responds by telling them to put the things of this life aside, and follow him. And “no one who puts a hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the Kingdom of God.”

Could this mean that unless you have complete trust in God to take care of the details, you will not be able to give serious service to our Lord? Complete trust in God to take care of the details; what a difficult thing to consider!

In his book Costly Grace, Jon Walker writes, “There is a totality in discipleship that demands an uncompromising loyalty … He clears the path by insisting that we adhere exclusively to him, that we rid ourselves of everything that gets in the way.”

In our busy lives, filled to overflowing with urgent, important tasks and responsibilities, this sounds impossible. Is it really feasible to lay all of our commitments to work and family aside?

What does this mean in our lives today? What stops you from committing to serve?

Are you too busy? Or maybe you don’t know anyone? You don’t have enough skills, or the “right” ones? You don’t see the opportunities? No one has asked you personally? Are you afraid of giving up too much? Maybe you don’t want to interact with people who are different than you? Is this outside of your comfort zone?

Don’t feel too bad if you find yourself in one of these situations. You are in good company. The Bible is filled with story after story about people who respond to God’s call with excuses. Moses, Jeremiah, Jonah, Gideon, Isaiah, Peter.

God equips every one of them and promises to be with them; the same promise he makes to you and me. There are many things that stand in the way of following Jesus. We’re to stay focused as we go through our lives, stepping out in the world with love and grace to be God’s hands and feet for everyone we encounter.

Please know how thankful we are for all of you who are stepping out and up to make Christ known through your lives of faith. We are blessed by your partnership in the Gospel!

I’ll see you in worship!

Pastor Mark

Email Pastor Mark: pastormark@sotpmail.com

Ministry Musing

By Donna Kelly

Be still…

Psalm 46:7-11

“Yahweh is with us – our stronghold is the God of Israel! Come, see what Yahweh has done – God makes the earth bounteous! God has put an end to war, from one end of the earth to the other, breaking bows, splintering spears, and setting Chariots on fire. Be still and know that I am God! I will be exalted among the nations; I will be exalted upon the earth. Yahweh is with us – our stronghold is the God of Israel!”

When my children were small and confusion and anarchy reigned and I wanted them to be still, I have to admit sometimes I would shout at them to be quiet. At other times when they were hurt or upset or angry, I would hold them in my arms and rock them, quietly murmuring shhhh.

In this Psalm, God speaks to us about becoming still in both ways. In vs. 7-9 God shouts at the world around God’s people to calm down and for confusion to cease. God is a fortress who makes wars cease, who breaks the bow, shatters the spear and burns the shields with fire. But God is also the one who holds us close in his arms, gently rocks us and says, “Shhhh, be still and know that I am God.”

In the midst of a fast paced world where each day brings new news of change or uncertainty, most of us have days where we can be so confused we’re not sure where or who we are. Our stress level can be so high, our disappointment so deep, our fear so crippling that we can lose sight of God and who God is. That is when we can listen for our God to shout to the pain, disappointment and fear to back off and calm down. That’s what Jesus did when he calmed the raging storm. In Mark 4 he stood up, and shouted to the storm, “Quiet! Be still!!” and all was calm.

But at other time our God pulls us onto their lap and holds us close like a loving parent. As God gently rocks us back and forth God kisses our brow and says, “Shhh, be still and know that I am your God”.

How do you need God to deal with your storms of life right now? Pause for a moment and think which you need…for God to shout to the storms swirling about you, “Quiet, Be still”. Or for God to hold you close and whisper, “Be still and know”.

There is a song by Peder Eide that touches on this idea of resting in God’s arms.

Be still and know that I am God,

Be still and know that I am,

Be still and know,

Be still,

Be…

Though mountains fall, the earth give way, I’ll be your refuge, I’ll be your strength,

Be still and know that I am God,

Be still and know that I am,

Be still and know,

Be still,

Be…

Be safe, be loved, because I am sovereign. You are not forgotten, of this you can be sure. I know your hopes, I know your dreams. Rest in my promise that I am here,

Be still and know that I am God,

Be still and know that I am,

Be still and know,

Be still,

Be…

May you know the peace and security or resting in God’s arms.

Donna

email Donna at: donna@sotpmail.com