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“The Good Ol’ Days”

Ed Doerner — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 18:17:18 +0000

This morning I was with a group of older Christians. Collectively they have hundreds of years of wisdom to share with me and others. As I was teaching I was wondering about how many of them miss the Good Old Days. The days when you knew what to expect when you went to church. The days when there was little to no technology. The days when you knew everyone’s name and how they were doing. I asked how many of them have internet and about half of the hands went up and some of them are still on dial up. It must be so intimidating for them to see where the church is going.

One of the things that I am realizing is that the distance between the older generation and the younger generation is further than it has ever been. The younger generation is getting most of its information off of the web and many are doing it on their phones, which is much quicker and you don’t have to wait until you get home. Many of the older generation rely on personal sharing and information on a hard copy. I find it getting more difficult with each day to effectively reach both groups.

A couple of weeks ago I saw a table of teenagers sitting together. No one was talking. Everyone was texting, checking e-mail or playing DS, while the table next to them of older adults were talking non-stop. There is something precious about the personal relationships that develop without the technology. There is something amazing going on in the lives of young people as they fully embrace new technologies.

Bridging these two generations is going to be a challenge for the church in the coming years. How well we celebrate the Good Ol’ Days while at the same time embrace the exciting days ahead will determine our future.

Spilling Over?

Ed Doerner — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 17:55:16 +0000

If you had to name all of the things that God has given you, how many things do you think you would have on your list? Is it even possible to count them all? How many of the blessings that God has given to you have spilled over so that others are blessed? In the 23rd Psalm David wrote, “My cup runs over.” In other words, God blesses us so much that others benefit. When our cups run over, there are other cups catching what overflows out of ours.

Let’s say God is blessing you with an incredible day. Do you keep the feelings to yourself? Do you only smile at yourself? Are you happy with only yourself? Of course not. When God gives us a great day it spills over to other people. A few minutes ago someone walked into my office with this big smile on their face. I couldn’t help but smile before they said a word. She was so excited about Wonderful Wednesday (our midweek ministry to kids in our community) that she was bouncing. I couldnt’ help but feel the excitement and it made my day better. That’s what David meant when he wrote “my cup runs over.” We have an amazing God who loves to give, and give, and give. He gives until our cups run over.

Let me ask you a question: Do you share the blessings you have with others? It can be as simple as caring for others, loving others or showing grace towards others. God cares for us, loves us and shows us grace, to the point of overflowing. Do we share these same blessings with others.

As you celebrate Thanksgiving, may you be overflowing with gratitude towards God who has given you more blessings than you can possibly keep for yourself. Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family.

Leaving a Legacy?

Ed Doerner — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 17:22:31 +0000

Yesterday I had the privilege of preaching at a funeral for a friend of mine. He has lived an amazing life and it was fun to share some of those things with all those who attended. It was awesome to share with everyone how much he loved the Lord.

As you can imagine, it got me thinking about my own life. What have I done in my own life? Some people grade themselves by their accomplishments while others by the lives that they have invested in. Besides your family, who are you investing in to the degree that you would be greatly missed? If you stopped doing what you are doing, would people notice? Would you be quickly replaced and life would go on as usual? Or would the people that you are investing in realize that no one could take your place and you would be greatly missed? I have come to realize that God and people fill a hole in our hearts that only they can fill.

As you think about your life, I would encourage you to think about where you spend your time and who you invest in. It’s amazing what can be accomplished and the difference we can make when we take the time to invest in people. I think you will find that the words you share with others, especially when you make a positive impact, will be remembered long after you are gone.

Do you have peace?

Ed Doerner — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 11:28:41 +0000

If you have ever been in a storm where there is a lot of rain and wind, there is no relief. You can seek shelter but as long as you are in the storm there is nothing you can do to stop the driving wind and rain. There are times when life feels like a storm. Things get crazy and out of control; it seems like you are being driven and pushed. It can feel like pounding rain that never seems to stop and there is no relief. It’s during these times we need to seek God’s peace.

God’s peace is like being in the eye of a hurricane. Life is still whipping around us and the winds are still blowing but we don’t feel it anymore. Things are still out of control but somehow we have peace in the midst of it. God does not want us to live in the hurricane, but to live in the eye. He wants our hearts at peace and only He can provide it. Jesus said, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.”

What are you doing in the hurricane when God has invited you into the eye? God’s peace is different. It gives us rest when there seems to be no rest. It calms our hearts so that even though it seems like we should be anxious, we are at peace. Peter said in his first letter, “Grace and peace be yours in abundance.” Amen. May God give you peace.

What do you focus on?

Ed Doerner — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 13:14:55 +0000

This morning as I was reading the Bible, I came across this verse: “Better is the sight of the eyes than the wandering of the appetite.” It got me thinking about what I focus on. Do I focus on the things that I have? My faith, my family, my home, the church, the things that we all enjoy; or do I focus on what I don’t have and the things that I want. It’s so easy in life to see what we don’t have, rather than focus on the things that we have. When we think about what we have we are doing what the writer of Ecclesiastes is saying; we are focusing on what we see, rather than on what our appetite desires.

I’ve noticed that when we focus our attention on what our appetite desires, as soon as it is off the list, something else takes its place on the list. Our appetite is never satisfied. However, when we focus on what we have and enjoy what God has given us, it usually results in thanksgiving.

Better life?

Ed Doerner — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 13:04:12 +0000

Jesus said, “I have come that you might have life and have it to the full.” What exactly did he mean that we can have life to the full? As I look around I see that life is hard, but I am reminded that God is good. Being in a relationship with Jesus does not mean that life will be easy. Just because we are a child of God and a follower of Jesus does not mean that our lives will suddenly be easier. However, I do believe that life is “better.”

Life is better when we know that we are not alone. Whatever we face, we face it with Jesus. Life is better because we know that God is in control and not us. Nothing can happen to you today without God knowing and approving whatever happens to you. Life can spin out of control and yet be better at the same time because God promises never to leave us. I may be in the fire, but somehow God is protecting me from getting burned. It doesn’t mean things will be good, but it does mean that life can be better. If you want a “better” life, which is a faith-filled life, then ask the One who can give it to you. Life is hard; but God is good.