Have We Missed The Point With “Noah?”

It’s not about Noah, the animals or the environment. The point of the story is the rescue boat.

As Christians, we are quick to point out how the movie got it wrong.  Admit it, we have probably missed the point as well.

Nobody was rescued from the overwhelming flood without the wooden ark (not even “well-behaved, Noah”).

None of us are rescued from our own overwhelming sin without Jesus’ death on a wooden cross.

The hero of the story used Noah to provide a boat as the only way to escape the flood then. The hero of our story tells us that Jesus is the only way to escape the penalty of sin now.

The ark was the only means of rescue back then, Jesus is the only way now. There was (and is) no other effective alternative.

The people should have run to the boat back then.  It’s time for each us to run to Jesus now.

Instead of condemning the movie for its miss-takes, use this opportunity to promote what they missed.

It’s Not Only Solid Teaching & Persuasion

The Holy Spirit is using a passage in 1 Corinthians to disturb and challenge me today.

While preaching, I’ve primarily relied on solid teaching & persuasion…unlike Paul at the church in Corinth where he said:

“My message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the Spirit’s power, so that your faith might not rest on human wisdom, but on God’s power.” (1 Corinthians 2:4, 5)

Communicating Gods Word and facilitating life change is still my life mission. However, it needs to occur with the person, power & presence of the Holy Spirit.

Sherman-Intruder (interview mashup)

During Richard Sherman’s interview…all I could hear was Antoine Dodson (from the “Bed Intruder” video).

Here is what It sounded like to me….

Over-Driven

For over 20 years, I have been tightly wound, acting as if my intensity would move things forward. I’ve been busy trying to prove my worth to people…and to Jesus.  In my version of what it means to follow Christ, I became an over-driven individual.  

 

In the last three months, I’ve learned that this “take” of what it means to follow Christ is wrong.  It was a “Miss-Take.” 

 

I have always felt a need to make progress at the expense of relaxation & enjoyment. Even when I exercise, I feel that I must always beat my previous best.

 

For years, I have lived and taught a do more, try harder style of Christian life that wore myself out as well as leaving thinkers & introverts in my wake.  I’ve burned people out, and inadvertently helped others make the same Miss-Take.

 

In contrast, I see that Noah, before doing anything of significance, found favor with God.  Moses received God’s blessing before he did anything significant either.  Speaking of the disciples, people “took note that these men had been with Jesus.”  The presence makes the difference.  I would prefer to be known as a person that has been with Jesus, rather than one who does a lot for Jesus.  

 

By personality, I prefer the passages of scripture where Jesus tells us to serve, give, go, do, try harder & do more.  However it’s a Miss-Take to ignore Jesus’ teaching and example of rest, reflection & quietly listening to the voice of the Father.

 

Our own intensity does not move the kingdom of God forward.  It never will.  Trying to prove our worth, impress Jesus & earn more favor is a Miss-Take.

  

Without Personal Agenda

It may have been 20 years since I spent extended time in prayer without talking about ministry or any church.  Tonight, I talked with Jesus about Him.

Allowing the Holy Spirit to work in me right now is more important than where I go next or what I do next.  Instead of voicing my aspirations… I want to catch a clearer sense of His agenda for me and those around me.

Try it sometime.  Instead of talking to Him about what you want home to do for you, approach Him without personal agenda.  Talk to Him about Him and ask Him to reveal Himself to you.

Stepping Off The Hamster Wheel (for a little while)

A week and a half ago, I officially turned down my dream job.  The job had everything that I wanted to do.  Everything was in place except peace.  So, I walked away without an alternative plan.  Therefore we chose to continue to wait.

Two days after the decision, we were given a (rent free) place to live.  For many reasons, it is obvious that this season of waiting has been designed by God.

It is very difficult for me to wait.  I don’t want to wait.  Anybody who knows me, knows that I don’t wait very well.  However, it’s becoming obvious that the Lord wants to do a work in me during this time.  This temporary season is about me and it’s about my wife.  It’s time for us to embrace what the Holy Spirit desires to do in us. For the first time in my life, I’m trying to not do…but to just be.

I have found a great part-time job and am looking for another while taking time to sit, listen and think.

At times, ministry feels like a hamster wheel.  Every forward step requires another forward step.  I guess it’s time to step off the hamster wheel, stop striving and let the Holy Spirit work in us.

Taking a massive step of faith and obedience…

When my ministry in Moscow first began, I knew that I was called by God to stop the bleeding, restore hope, and help us all begin to see beyond ourselves.  It’s exciting to see that CLC is far from who it was two years ago.

Before Easter, I clearly heard the voice of God.  His words were contrary to what I expected to hear.  He said the words, “I release you.”  This didn’t make sense, and seemed premature.  Again, He said, “I release you. I will build my church.”

From that moment over 20 weeks ago, I’ve continued forward, rationalizing away what I clearly heard Him say. I didn’t want to admit that God’s plan for CLC no longer included me.  There is much left to do, and the impact of Moscow CLC will be great. I am simply not supposed to be the person to lead the next season of ministry in and through this great church.  Now, with my assignment complete, there would only be diminishing returns if I stubbornly chose to stay.

Words cannot express our gratitude for support and friendship of so many people at Christian Life Center. Moscow CLC has been a ministry highlight for us.  We take with us fond memories and relationships that we wish we had more opportunity to have built. It continues to be obvious that the greatest asset of this church is its people.

As I write this letter, we as the Modine’s don’t know where we are going next. However, we know that we must take this step of obedience to allow the next pastor to step in.  We look forward to hearing what God will do in and through this great church.

The Modine’s final Sunday as Pastors of CLC could be as soon as September 1^st or as late as October 6^th.  We will announce a conclusion date as soon as it is determined.

Today, I am helping my family settle into my in-laws house in Yakima and enroll in schools here as we wait for our next assignment.  I will once again commute, to Moscow from Yakima, as I conclude this wonderful season with you.

Please feel free to connect with myself or the board about the conclusion of my ministry at Christian Life Center.  Pray for them and pray for your next lead pastor whoever he may be.

For Jesus’ fame,

Pastor Gary Modine

GRACE IS AN ENABLER

Grace is an enabler.  Unlike a parent or girlfriend “enabling” us to continue destroying ourselves, grace enables us to become.  By definition, enable means to “Make ready and equip.

Grace stands in opposition to earning.  It is not opposed to effort.  God helps us become increasingly like Jesus (an impossible effort without the help of grace). 

As I study grace, I fall in love with it.  Without Grace, I would buckle under the pressure of condemnation and could never become like Jesus.  Grace is a phenomenal teacher, giving opportunity to re-take my mis-takes.

While studying the Bible for clarity on how grace enables us to become….I found this:

For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, teaching us to deny ungodliness and worldly lusts, and should live sober, righteous, and godly lives in the present age, looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself His own special people, zealous for good works.  –Titus 2:11-14

I love how grace is equipping me.

Let the grace of God enable you as well.

 

 

It’s Like A “To Go” Box!

When traveling, my friend Michael eats at nice restaurants. To stay healthy, he eats only what he needs and puts half in a “to go” box.  He gives the rest of his food to someone outside the restaurant who looks hungry.

This approach to health and generosity has a Christian life application as well. Stay healthy, consume only what you need.  Stay generous, take some “to go.”  Use what you have to feed others.

When Jesus said to Peter “If you love me, feed my sheep,” He didn’t instruct him to consume more teaching…. He told Peter to feed others. Its good to eat wonderful food, however the purpose of eating is nourishment for task. Not just taste.

We need to burn as many calories as we ingest…or we get fat. It’s not for us alone! Feed somebody

It’s Not Trust …Until It’s Hard To Trust

We all face times when it’s hard to trust God. It’s difficult when we can’t see how it’s all going to work out. What do you do when the journey you are on doesn’t make sense?

Here’s what I am learning:

Take one day at a time

1. “Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself.” -Jesus
2. Be more concerned about God’s will for the rest of your day…than the rest of your life…or even the rest of your month!

Remember that God is in control

1. “We don’t know what to do, but our eyes are on you.” – King Jehoshaphat
2. Look at God more than than you look at your situation.

Unload your burdens to God

1. “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” -Jesus
2. Don’t carry the burden of His promise. His promise is His responsibility!
3. Daily, take every problem and fear & put it in the Lord’s hands.
4. Whatever you carry after that…is unnecessary, unproductive weight. Most likely, the solution will have nothing to do with the stuff we choose to carry.

Stay in the “Promised Land”

1. Don’t give up too quickly on His promise.
2. God’s plan for your life includes where you are at right now.
3. “Who of you by worrying can add a single day to his life?” -Jesus
4. Worry is like praying for the opposite of what you want.
5. Stay in the peace of His promises.
6. He who promised is faithful to fulfill his promises. -Apostle Paul

Take joy in the journey

1. Learn how to enjoy the trip. Relax in the middle of His plan. That’s where you are.
2. Acts 16:22-25 “The crowd joined in the attack against Paul and Silas, and the judges ordered them to be stripped, beaten, thrown into prison, then fastened their feet in stocks. About midnight Paul and Silas were worshipping God…”The people they ministered to …turned against them. The judges threw them in Jail…But Paul and Silas chose to face their struggle WITH God.
3. Enjoy the present situation, because God is there with you.
4. IF YOU CAN’T ENJOY THE CIRCUMSTANCE….ENJOY HIS PRESENCE THROUGHOUT THE JOURNEY

He will work it out. He always has. He always will.

You will understand it in retrospect…but continue to move forward.

When it’s hard to trust Him….that’s when it’s really trust.