Monday Morning Musings ...

Yesterday was another good day. The weather was cold and somewhat dreary but we had a good day. A brand new family, just down the street from the church attended. They were invited by a neighbor who attends here, this neighbor had already brought the family's child to church for our midweek children's ministries. The value of a personal invitation and showing concern for children were evident as this family worshiped with us.

Showed a funny video of a couple of mom's talking about what they would like for Mother's Day, had a special time of prayer for mom's. We were missing about half of our worship band, so musically we were just a bit off and then we had some technical problems as well. Even with all of that the spirit was very good.

I began a new series of messages yesterday. Traditionally I do a series on relationships from Mother's Day to Father's Day. This year the series is "Words of Life for Relationships". Each week we will look at a phrase from the Bible that is vital to healthy relationships. Yesterday we looked at I Thessalonians 5:24 and Romans 16:13. I Thessalonians 5:24 says "The one who calls you is faithful and he will do it." What a great promise that God calls and when he calls he will do what is necessary to see his will accomplished. We don't have to rely on our own abilities, but rather he makes himself available with promise of completion. Romans 16:13 is a different verse to use as a text, it says, "Greet Rufus, chosen in the Lord, and his mother, who has been a mother to me too." Paul is acknowledging that Rufus has been a helpmate in the work of the Lord and has God's favor on his life. He is also recognizing the value of Rufus' mother and her influence on Rufus and on Paul. Good mom's almost never stop with just influencing their own children, they also influence their children's friends and others that they have contact with. This was true of my mom and is true of my wife as well. I love this verse. What an encouragement for moms.

The phrase we looked at this week was "yes you can". I Thessalonians 5:24 certainly backs up that phrase and it is a common phrase from good moms to their children. Moms are always sure that their children can do it, whatever "it" happens to be. We need to instill that yes you can attitude into each other's lives. God has given us the promise that he will do what he calls us to do, so yes you can do what God has created and called you to do.

Yes you can, is a powerful phrase. It instills confidence and courage. It builds self-esteem. It is vital for perseverance when we are facing obstacles. We need to become yes we can followers of Christ. This means that we move forward no matter what the circumstances and make a difference in the lives of those around us.

Some key questions: Can you? Yes you can. Will you? You must answer this one for yourself. When? Too often we nod affirmatively to a sermon, or stand in agreement and then yield to the temptation of believing that by nodding or standing we have done our part. Agreeing is only the ignition, we need to put ourselves into gear and then do what we agreed to do. So let me ask you again, when will you do it?