Day 6 Amazing Grace

Amazing grace how sweet the sound... that's the song I hear every time my cell phone rings. And wow have I been challenged in this area in the past several months. I feel like I've been getting tested on what my reaction will be to others in their difficult situations. Do I choose to show grace or judgment? As I write this and see it in black and white it's obvious grace would be the right choice. But in the midst of complicated situations what my heart feels and goes through is really the test. One thing I always try to remember when someone shares with me a dark hidden sin or some really big sin (is there such a thing?) is that I'm only a choice away from committing that same sin. Praise God for His amazing grace that saved a wretch like me. We once were lost but now were found.

"We need a coat with two pockets. In one pocket there is dust,
and in the other pocket there is gold. We need a coat with two
pockets to remind us of who we are."
Hasidic Tale

Day 5 A Spirit controlled mind

I have a dear friend who has told me many times our actions follow our thoughts. I've found this to be so true. As I was reading a book called "The Battlefield of the Mind" one of the lines in it said, "If we begin to think about ice cream soon we'll find ourselves in the car pursuing ice cream (or a Carmel High Rise latte). Our thoughts stir our desires then we make the decision to follow them."
I've decided to give up sweets during our fast along with being more intentional with how I spend my time. Its been a joy to go off to a quite place to read and not have my time with God be so rushed. Why does it take a corporate fast to inspire me? I don't know - but I'm thankful. I pray God will bless all of our efforts and direct our paths.

Romans 8:5 (amplified version)
For those who are according to the flesh and are controlled by its unholy desires set their minds on and pursue those things which gratify the flesh, but those who are according to the Spirit and are controlled by the desires of the Spirit set their minds on and seek those things which gratify the [Holy] Spirit.

Day 4 Just a Trim Please

The fourth day of fasting. Hmmmm. . . . . Actually, I love to fast and pray. Call me bizarre but I think maybe it's just my small way of controlling my otherwise hectic and out-of-control life. I can honestly say I have rarely been disappointed. I have found that fasting and prayer has allowed me to see the hand of God in my life more than just prayer alone.

The challenge for me is always making it more than just a check on my to-do list and actually seeking a deeper relationship with God, trying to hear his voice, and finding the strength and courage to do whatever he says. For example when I take the time to ask God to fix a situation in my life, maybe a hormonal teenager, insufficient funds, attacking dust bunnies, or a bad hair week, if I actually listen, I'll hear, "What you really need is to work on your heart." There I sit thinking, "But I'm not getting my prayers answered!" In reality he's always right and my situation is always better if I just relax and let him change me. Which really never happens because I'm not the kind of person who just sits still and lets God change me. I tend to be like a small child getting a haircut who is 'only moving a tiny bit', insanely bothered by all the itchy hair, or 'just trying to help'. I gave My first grader a haircut this afternoon so this is all very fresh in my mind. There is really no way for him to help except to just sit still and do what I say! I too find it very difficult to just sit still, do what I'm told, and let God take care of things. So, I guess the control freak inside me likes to fast and pray because it helps me focus more on God than on my problems.

I believe God is always doing great things in our lives, but I believe that fasting and prayer positions us to receive more of what God wants for us, especially if we are open to what He wants us to do. I'm very excited about the things that God is doing and will continue to do as the people of Cornerstone corporately humble themselves to seek God's will.

Day Three

Fasting. Growing up Catholic, what I knew about fasting was all about food and was mainly associated with Lent. Fasting was also required before taking communion. When I was very young we used to fast from food starting at 12:00 a.m. on Sunday in order to receive communion on Sunday morning. That meant no breakfast before Mass. As I grew older, the church changed this requirement to a one hour fast before taking communion. Lenten fasting (and abstinence) rules also changed with the times. Isn’t it funny (sad, typical) how man changes things to accommodate himself and his selfishness? So I've asked myself, was this God’s intent for what fasting is meant to accomplish? The Bible talks about fasting – but always connected with prayer and becoming closer to God. (I couldn’t find anything about fasting before receiving communion. hmmmm…)

Maybe what God really wants is for us to fast so that we can minimize the distractions that deter us from being in prayer and becoming ever closer to Him. Fasting might just mean purposely dedicating time for God and God alone. I don’t think that necessarily means not eating food, although it certainly could. In Biblical times, there wasn’t much else to give up. For us, it might mean giving up something else – an activity, TV, social media, video games. So that’s the fasting part. Dedicated, purposeful prayer is what should result. Prayer replaces what we give up. Is it hard to fast? Sure! Nothing worth achieving is accomplished without work. I believe that the however small sacrifice I make will allow the time I spend each and every day throughout our corporate fast to provide me with maximum refreshment and rest in The Lord. He will grant me strength to make it through. I will turn my eyes and my heart to The Lord and watch Him do marvelous things for Cornerstone!

Day 2 of The Fast--Should this be so difficult?

Last year, I chose the type of fast I would do without too much difficulty. This year, after several days of agonizing over this and yes, praying about this, I am still not feeling settled about what I should be fasting from. I know I tend to be the "elder brother" sort who works hard at doing what I think is expected of me and is annoyed with the younger brother who "isn't doing it right". So I am trying to look at this through God's eyes of grace and love...yet, I am still struggling. I am trusting in the promise of Romans 8:26--"We do not know what we ought to pray for (or fast from), but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express."

So, at this point, I don't have any messages of revelation or victory to share with you. What I do have is empathy and compassion for anyone else who is not "getting it". I suspect that our Cornerstone body includes others who know that they are saved by grace, but can't keep from thinking that if they just keep trying, their heart will be more pleasing to God.

A Battle

Last night I received a call from a woman who lives in my neighborhood. I haven't talked with her in over 5 years, but she said that she felt prompted to call me. It seems that her daughter and some friends have been playing with a Ouija board and have been experiencing some pretty frightening things. The students want to meet with a pastor and talk about what is happening.

Would you pray for Dillon, Tori, Anna, Chris and Ozzy as I meet with them on Wednesday evening. How amazing is it that just when we start to fast and pray that God decides to use me in this way. Pray that God will deliver these kids from the evil one. Pray that they will give their lives over to His control. Pray that I will be led by the Holy Spirit in everything that I say and do during this meeting.

To God Be The Glory!!

Following the paths of God

Today marks the beginning of our All-church Fast. We have 21 days of limiting ourselves in some way, of setting aside the small blessings so that we can take part in the big ones. Without a doubt, Cornerstone is moving. God has continued to draw us along day by day, and I have been privileged to be a part of that for the last 3+ years. But his path for us began long before that. We have heard about Cornerstone being started in Barry's living room with a handful of people, but God has known his plans for us, extending far before Cornerstone was even a dream.

It is an incredible blessing to be able to walk in God's footprints, following what he has laid out for us, and this time of seeking him is one of those blessings. I hope as we support and pray for each other that he will show us a glimpse of his face.

Each of us has chosen something that is meaningful for us. I have chosen to fast during my lunch times again this year, and spend that time in the Word and in prayer for this church. I started these three weeks by focusing on the magnitude and majesty of our God who has called us to this place. One of the greatest places to meditate on this is in the Psalms, reading the hymns written to glorify our Creator. Today I spent time in Psalm 8. Verses 3-4 read: When I look at your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars which you have set in place, what is man that you are mindful of him, and the son of man that you care for him?

The immensity of the task ahead is weighing on me. Part of it is simply being hungry, and knowing that I chose to do this for three weeks. But part of me is simply awed by being in the presence of the God who created the moon and the stars and all of the heavens. I spend this day in the presence of Almighty God, who cares about even me (and even cares that I am hungry).

I encourage you, if you are looking for a way to start your fast, take some time to read some of the Psalms that focus on God and his glory. Pray prayers of adoration and worship. If we are going to be following the paths of God, it will help to know Whom we are following.

Pastor Scott

(Some good Psalms of adoration: Ps 8, 19.1-6, 95.1-7, 104, 148)