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Reflections

Welcome to the JCPC Daily Reflections Blog. Reflections are daily devotionals authored by JCPC pastors, staff and members and provide insight, guidance and comfort to help you make it through each day. If you’d like to receive Reflections each day via email,  provide your email address.

Thursday, August 22 2019

Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.

-Philippians 4:8

 

Each year, about this time, our students head back to school. Some are excited, some nervous. And some of the students are excited and nervous too. Many students dread the start of another rigorous year and difficult classes. Few express the same joy at attending that the children in developing parts of the world do at the opportunity school is. And sometimes, we teachers and educators dread the return of a busy schedule and the inevitable difficulties and challenges that students can present.

 

This is a great time of year to focus on what is so good about this fresh beginning, about learning, and about the students themselves. We do a disservice to our kids when we hype the school year but forget to get excited as adults. After all, especially as Presbyterians, we are lifelong learners, and we value education, and a theology of gratitude. We charge our ordained leaders to lead us with "energy, intelligence, imagination, and love," in their vows. So what do you do to prepare and how do you walk along side them?

 

Some of you are school teachers and professors and professional educators. This makes you trained and ready to teach at church too. Some of you are experts in raising successful kids who have grown and graduated, making you seasoned in assisting a new generation of parents with Sunday school and youth group. Some of us are aunts and uncles and coaches and mentors who have wisdom and expertise and time to offer. And all of us are called to see the goodness and image of God in our young people and volunteer to help make disciples.

 

This week, I watched a young man at our youth kickoff night from Casa Brasil, the Portuguese community that worships in the Youth Garage weekly. He ran alongside the giant inflatable, cheering on and encouraging his friends to cross the finish line. Brothers and sisters, this is the good and noble and worthy of praise we have been called to see and to emulate and encourage. Join us.

 

Prayer for Today

Great God of energy, intelligence, imagination, and love, send your spirit to fill us with inspiration as we witness what is good and noble so we may go and fan the flames of our young people's young faith. Amen.

Posted by: AT 08:18 am   |  Permalink   |  Email
Wednesday, August 21 2019

Faith in God is not an escape from reality. Faith in God is a plunge into reality in all its dimensions, and not the least of these realities is death. 

- Eugene Peterson

 

I came across those words while reading through Peterson's excellent book, Tell It Slant: A Conversation on the Language of Jesus in His Stories and Prayers. His words reminded me that Christian faith is not an escape - even though some of the great skeptics have argued it was. Some versions of how people use or misuse faith may try to be that escape, but the Christ story we find told in the Bible deals directly with death - particularly with the death of Jesus on the cross. For the Christian, the final word is not death, but resurrection, new life, and hope. However, that does not mean we get a free pass when it comes to experiencing the end of this life. We will all face death - the end of this earthly life - before we experience resurrection.

 

Recently, one of our church members was talking about howimportant it is for the church to talk openly about death. She shared her own story about her struggles to find a way to do this. Most people do not want to talk about death. But I believe we can deal with the end of life challenges better if we know more about them -- whether we are doing this for ourselves or for someone we care about. This learning happens best, not only by hearing from those who have more experience than we do. It also helps to be with others like us - our peers.

 

Neal and I are focusing on this theme in our Pastors' Class beginning this Sunday at 10:00 a.m. We are calling it Peering Into the Sunset: End of Life Challenges for Today. The idea of "peering" is not only about looking down the road to try to discern what is coming. It is also about doing this with our "peers" - those like us who are trying to find our way. This class is for all ages and stages of life, so join us this Sunday as we begin this journey together!

 

Prayer for Today

God of the ages, you know our beginnings, our endings, and all that happens in between. Give us the courage to face the challenges of life and even death. In the strong name of Jesus, the resurrected Christ, we pray. Amen.

Posted by: AT 08:17 am   |  Permalink   |  Email
Tuesday, August 20 2019

Have you enjoyed a recent celebration with family or friends? A birthday? A wedding? A new opportunity?

 

You might think of the Scriptures as one huge invitation to a celebration with God. I would invite you to take some time today to find a good reason to join the celebration.

 

In Paul's letter to the Romans he reminds us that, "Faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word of Christ." (Romans 10:17)

 

We have the opportunity to grow in our faith through our encounters with God's Word in scripture. Listen for God's Word to you in the midst of your current circumstances and challenges of this week.

 

It takes at least two to celebrate, but you know, the more the merrier! God has made all the preparations and now awaits your response. Why not join all the many others who have also joined the party? It's the best celebration ever!

 

A class or small group can be a great way to connect with a community and celebrate with God together. This Sunday, join us for the following classes or groups at 10 a.m.

  • Children's Class in the Calvin Room for 3's-5th Grade. They'll gather for large group activities and Bible story then split up into age based small groups for activities and crafts.
  • Youth Class in the Youth Garage for 6th-12th grade using a video Bible study as a springboard for discussion.
  • Pastors' Class in the Dining Room. They will focus this fall on Peering Into the Sunset: End of Life Challenges for Today. The group will look at the various challenges we all, and those we care for, face at the end of life. Guest presenters will provide helpful legal, health and other insights.
  • Practical Christianity Class in Room 111. They will study Simon Peter with a DVD study from Adam Hamilton with a group of rotating facilitators.
  • Parenting Small Group in Room 110. They will use Parenting through the Phases DVD study focused on helping guide you through the responsibility and challenges of shaping your child's faith and character in each phase of their life. A group of seasoned parents will rotate as facilitators to journey with parents of all ages.
 

Prayer for Today

Loving God, we know that we are not perfect. We know we'll make mistakes. Help us to celebrate our successes and accept when we fall short. Give us faith in you and in ourselves. Grant us peace today. In Christ's Name, Amen.

Posted by: AT 08:15 am   |  Permalink   |  Email
Monday, August 19 2019

A time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance.

-Ecclesiastes 3: 4

 

The wisdom of this passage was personified on Saturday night at CanCare Atlanta's Fiesta of Hope. Everyone in attendance has been touched by cancer, or will be, in their lifetime. Our CanCare Atlanta volunteers are living testimonials to the wisdom that there is a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance. At our Fiesta of Hope, however, the time was to laugh and dance!

 

Another type of wisdom made itself known that night that had a profound impact on me. Perhaps you have heard the wise quote of Aesop-"You are known by the company you keep." The book of Proverbs puts it this way- 

Become wise by walking with the wise...-Proverbs 13:20

 

How this came to be was in a series of conversations I had with Brooke Homan and her mother, who are owner/ operators of Mavericks Cantina. As we "debriefed" the events of a full day and evening, both Brooke and her mother, independently shared how friendly, kind, and gracious the people in attendance were to their staff. Both stated that our group, mainly CanCare volunteers and JCPC members, were unlike any other that has been served by their staff. I was told that there was no complaining and that the staff was appreciated and felt energized even though most had worked over 12 hours!

 

"I think it's because you are Christians," each said to me. I think they are correct, but I think it runs deeper. I believe you can be a Christian, I would imagine many of their patrons are, and behave in less than a wise fashion. Our company, the company we keep, however; has grown in character through the faithful balance of weeping, laughing, mourning, and dancing. When you realize how precious life truly is and that means not only your life but all life, then appreciation, kindness, and love are all part of walking with the wise.

 

I thanked Brooke and her mother for their kind words. As I reflected on their gracious blessing I found myself thinking that when you are have the opportunity to spend time with member of JCPC and CanCare Atlanta volunteers you are in good company!

 

Prayer for Today

Gracious God, you give us all good gifts and provide us with comfort and hope in our times of trouble, so inspire us to always be good, kind, and loving so that we will walk in your wisdom and share your gifts freely, joyously, and with thanksgiving. Amen.

Posted by: AT 08:14 am   |  Permalink   |  Email
Friday, August 16 2019

When he was a young boy, Benjamin West attempted to draw a picture of his sister, but he succeeded only in making a mess. His mother saw his creation, kissed him on the head, and remarked, "Why, it's Sally!" He would later say that it was that kiss that made him an artist-and the great American painter he would become. Encouragement is a powerful thing!

 

Like a child learning to paint, Paul didn't have much credibility early on in his ministry, but Barnabas affirmed his calling. It was through Barnabas's encouragement that the church accepted Saul as a fellow believer (Acts 9:27). Barnabas would also encourage the fledgling church of Antioch, helping it to become one of the most influential in the book of Acts (11:22-23). And it was through Barnabas's encouragement, as well as Paul's, that the Jerusalem church embraced the gentile believers as Christians (15:19). So, in many ways, the story of the early church is really a story of encouragement.

 

The same should apply to our own lives. We might think encouragement is merely saying something nice to someone. But if we think that way, we fail to recognize the lasting power it possesses. It's one of the means by which God shapes our individual lives as well as the life of the church.

 

Let's thank God for the moments we receive encouragement and strive to pass it along to others.

 

Prayer for Today

Father, help me encourage others as You have encouraged me. Amen.

Posted by: AT 11:29 am   |  Permalink   |  Email
Thursday, August 15 2019

And if it is evil in your eyes to serve the Lord, choose this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your fathers served in the region beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you dwell. 

But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.

-Joshua 24:15

 

Saw a sign outside a church recently: Welcome back to School, Welcome back to Church. Welcome is a wonderful word. But it struck me that the assumption seemed to be that people had chosen to be absent from church for the summer. I hope you haven't been gone from your family of faith this summer, and that when you've traveled, you've found other places to worship or streamed one of the thousands of options to your phone or listened to a service you missed at JCPC recently as you drove down the highway. The boys and I streamed a service a few Sundays ago when we were in NC and it was a lot of fun for them and me. And I'm sure we will have that for JCPC in the years ahead. 

 

However, if you've been gone, welcome back, and I hope you'll join us for the Sunday school breakfast this week and Youth Group Kickoff on Sunday night. I hope you'll come with your kids, but also as parents, like any back to school night, getting your kids excited for something vital to their lives and finding out what you will need to do to help them succeed, signing up to volunteer and committing to their success. Your child will likely have as many as 8 or 10 teachers and administrators and specialists working with and for your child this year, but even they need volunteers. Your children and youth will need the same or more at church, and that's a family commitment. 

 

I sat last week, drinking from my River Trail Middle School coffee mug, feeling appreciated as this was a gift for coming as a volunteer to Career Day for kids I mostly didn't know. I reflected how this event, one of their best and most important required dozens of volunteers and how they sought to honor that. To instill in our young people a love for God, a love and dedication to serving others, and an understanding that God loves them, we will need dozens of volunteers this year, their parents and gifted members of JCPC who have no children, empty nesters, and young adults. If any church is God's house, for our house to follow the Lord, we will all have to do so together. Come join us. And welcome back. 

 

Prayer for Today

Lord, help me to seek where I am needed, gift me with what is needed, and make me generous to show up and help your children. Amen.

Posted by: AT 11:28 am   |  Permalink   |  Email
Wednesday, August 14 2019

See how good and pleasant it is when brothers and sisters live together in harmony!

- Psalm 133:1

 

Last Sunday in worship we talked more about our "A Time for Everything" sermon series based on the Ecclesiastes 3:1-8. The pairs of words mentioned in that Bible passage help us find balance in our lives today. The last two weeks we have looked at some challenging passages like "a time to die" and "a time to kill." Given the recent tragedies in El Paso and Dayton, as people of faith we struggle to see how God is at work in our world.

 

In talking about that passage Sunday, I shared that I am part of a newly formed inter-faith clergy group from Johns Creek. We are a group of religious leaders from Christian, Jewish and Muslim congregations. We usually meet each month for breakfast. We have begun to know and trust each other. We also realize how all of us are experiencing many of the same challenges in our congregations. While we do not agree on everything, we find we agree much more than we disagree. We do not ignore our differences. In fact, this gathering is a great place to explore exactly how we are different.

 

After the tragic events of the past weeks, we decided to create a statement we could all support. This is something we do agree on. We believe that the kind of violence we have seen recently is wrong and not what God wills for our world. We are also called to do whatever is right to end this. Our statement can be found at the link below.

 

Johns Creek Interfaith Alliance Letter

 

 It was also meant to be a public statement. Perhaps it will model for our community how those who have different religions and even ethnic backgrounds can come together to work for something good. It was also printed in the Johns Creek Herald Monday under "Letters to the Editor." Please continue to pray for God's peace in our world. Also, pray about what God is calling you to do to make a positive difference here and now.

 

Prayer for Today

God, give us the insight to see what is really going on, the wisdom to know what we are each called to do, and the courage and perseverance to do it. Amen.

Posted by: AT 11:24 am   |  Permalink   |  Email
Tuesday, August 13 2019

I heard Amy Grant share a story on the radio a while back and it has stuck with me ever since. She heard Jimmy Gentry, a World War II veteran and recently retired teacher and coach in Nashville, TN, share some thoughtful words on life. He said that these five words or phrases can help guide you on your journey.

 

5. How Can I Help You?

4. I'm Proud of You

3. I Love You

2. Thank You

1. We

 

Take a moment to consider a time when you recently used one of these. Each of these words can gain new meaning based on how they integrate into the fabric of your life. What would it look like if these were the five most used words or phrases in your daily life? How might it impact your interactions with others?

 

I would invite you this week to use one of them more often. Be open to how God may be using you in these situations to share God's love in a new way.

 

Join us this Sunday as we gather for breakfast and fellowship in the Great Hall starting at 10:00 a.m. and connect with our church family. This is a time of year when we can share stories, connect with each other and make commitments to grow in our faith through the Education ministry at JCPC. At 9:00 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. worship, we will commission all of those who have made the commitment to teach and lead this year through our small groups and classes. Take some time to not only to make new commitments and promises, but to renew our covenant with God.

 

As the Father has loved me, so I have loved you; abide in my love. If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father's commandments and abide in his love. I have said these things to you so that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be complete. 

-John 15:9-11

 

Prayer for Today

God, you have called us to live in ways that at times seem difficult and even impossible to do. Remind me each day that as I live in the way you have instructed, I am moving closer and closer to you. Make my joy complete, O God. Amen.

Posted by: AT 11:23 am   |  Permalink   |  Email
Monday, August 12 2019

A while back, a friend of mine shared this inspirational quote with me:

 

"Be gentle in your kindness for everyone has their troubles."

 

I think this quote is an invitation to come along side of each other with an openness that meets the other where they are.

 

Paul's letter to the Colossians uses a clothing metaphor to expand this invitation to live life in the Spirit.

 

Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.  And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.

-Colossians 3: 12-15

 

Our caring ministries here at JCPC are all clothed with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.

One of these ministries is CanCare Atlanta whose mission is to assure no one endures cancer alone.

 

You can make a difference in the life of someone touched by cancer in our community and beyond by attending CanCare Atlanta's Fiesta of Hope at Mavericks Cantina on this coming Saturday, August 17th beginning at noon and going into the evening.

Click here for more information and to make reservations

What is the meaning of fiesta?

In Spanish, fiesta means "feast," and in many Spanish-speaking places, a fiesta celebrates a saint's day or other religious occasion. The word comes from the Latin festus, "festive, joyful, or merry."

 

Please invite your friends and family and let's make merry together as we celebrate and support CanCare Atlanta; a vital ministry of JCPC!

 

I look forward to celebrating with you!

 

Prayer for Today

Clothe us in joy, Merciful Lord, and inspire us to walk alongside those who have troubles so that your love will uplift and inspire. Amen.

Posted by: AT 11:22 am   |  Permalink   |  Email
Friday, August 09 2019

When we first saw the stream in our backyard, it was just a thin vein of water trickling through a bed of rocks in the heat of the summer. Heavy wooden planks served as a bridge we could easily cross. Months later, torrents of rain pounded our area for several days in a row. Our tame little creek swelled into a quick-moving river four-feet deep and ten-feet wide! The force of this water heaved the bridge boards up and deposited them several feet away.

 

 

Rushing water has the potential to overwhelm almost anything that stands in its path. Yet there's something that's indestructible in the face of a flood or other forces that might threaten to destroy it-love. "Many waters cannot quench love; rivers cannot sweep it away" (Song of Songs 8:7). Love's persistent strength and intensity is often present in romantic relationships, but it's only fully expressed in the love God has for people through His Son, Jesus Christ.

 

When the things we consider to be sturdy and dependable are swept away, our disappointment can open the door to a new understanding of God's love for us. His affection is higher and deeper and stronger and longer lasting than anything on earth. Whatever we face, we face with Him beside us-holding us up, helping us along, and reminding us that we're loved.

 

 

Prayer for Today

Heavenly Father, thank You for comforting me with Your love during times of rejection or loss. Help me to believe I can depend on You to meet every need in my soul. Amen.

Posted by: AT 03:00 pm   |  Permalink   |  Email

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10950 Bell Rd, Johns Creek, GA 30097
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